Washington's more than 8,000 taxis are getting digital meters.
The Washington Post reports that cab drivers in the city have until Aug. 31 to get rid of their traditional meters, which are being replaced with a tablet or smartphone with a digital meter app.
The tablet will be mounted on the car so passengers can see a map of the route, the cost of the trip and the estimated time of arrival. Taxis will use start-up Square to process payments.
Officials say D.C. is the first major U.S. city to move to digital meters.
Ernest Chrappah is director of the D.C. Department of For-Hire Vehicles, which regulates the industry. He says they are ``reinventing'' the taxi experience to make it better for riders and drivers.
Copyright AP - Associated Press
