District cab fares are likely to rise soon, though officials still must decide how much to increase them and whether to require drivers to provide service upgrades, like allowing credit card payments, in exchange for the higher fees.
The District of Columbia Taxicab Commission is considering nearly doubling the rate from $1.50 per mile to $2.75 per mile while dropping most other surcharges, including charges for extra riders or luggage. A public hearing is scheduled for Tuesday.
Cabbies say current rates don’t provide enough to allow them to support their families and keep their cabs running, let alone pay for upgrades like on-board credit card machines.
“Right now we’re not really turning a profit margin,” said Nicholas Maxwell, an independent cab driver in D.C. “We’re not on par with other cities. We’re not on par with surrounding jurisdictions.”
Maxwell, who petitioned the District of Columbia Taxicab Commission for the increase, estimates that drivers need to earn about $25.95 per hour to compensate for the high cost of living in the District and business expenses.
