Trick, No Treat
So, some of DC's cabbies have decided to strike on Halloween. This isn't exactly a unified group, so it's hard to say just how much of a strike this will be, but am looking forward to seeing what transpires tomorrow.The strike, reported by the Washington Post, is to be from 6am tomorrow morning to 6am the following morning. That means that a lot of ghosts and goblins may be having to find their own ways home tomorrow night.
Then again, with Halloween during the week, those ghosts & goblins may not be looking for rides until Saturday night?
posted by DC Cab Rider @ 5:25 PM
4 Comments:
Halloween night is usually pretty busy for cab drivers. It will be interesting to see how many resist the temptation to go out and make some money.
Did the strike have any effect other than to alienate any support they might have had
Good question - I'm not sure there was much of an effect at all (good or bad). There were enough drivers who didn't strike to keep things moving, and it was for only 24 hours, so not long enough to make an impact.
Mayor Fenty Proposes Highest Taxi Fares in the Nation
New Meter Fares Higher than New York, Boston or Los Angeles
Washington, DC, November 2, 2007 – DC Mayor Adrian Fenty has proposed the highest fares in the country for the new DC taxicab meter fares his administration has mandated. With a base rate of $4.00 for the first 1/6 of a mile, the new fares far exceed taxi rates in any other major city in the country.
"The fares proposed by the Mayor will ensure that DC residents and the tourists that drive our economy will pay higher taxi fares than anyone else in the country," said DC resident James Mann. "I don't understand how cabs across the river in Arlington will cost 25% less than DC cabs. It doesn't make any sense."
According to a study conducted by the City of 21 cabs which were outfitted with pilot meters in 2005 and 2006, meter fares with a $4.00 drop rate were nearly $1.00 higher on average than the antiquated zone fares. The $4.00 drop rate ensures that a mile-long trip for a DC resident with no luggage and no traffic will cost $5.25 during off-peak hours. The same trip for a resident of Arlington would cost only $3.95.
Additionally, the Mayor's proposed fares, while already high, will rise exponentially during traffic. Rush hour costs will include an additional $1.00 fee per trip on top of a $.25 per minute idle cost when stopped at lights or during traffic jams. A 2005 study from the AAA notes that DC has the third-worst traffic congestion in the country.
"The rush hour surcharge is entirely irrational," said DC resident Matthew Hudson. "I'm already paying additional fees for sitting idle. Why should the cabbie make even more money at residents' expense because there is traffic?"
DC residents are urging the Mayor to rescind his ill-advised proposal and instead impose a $2.50 base fare, in line with other major cities like New York, as well as in line with fees Virginia residents pay for cabs.
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