In a big game of "But I asked you first," the D.C. Taxicab Commission decided not to decide on changing the cab fare system. Instead of making a recommendation on changing to meters, the eight-member group told Mayor Adrian Fenty to re-evaluate the current zone method before taking action.
Of course, it was Fenty who had originally asked the commission to assess the pros and cons of zones, meters or a GPS-based zone-meter hybrid. The commission's willingness to choose the "none of the above" option only illustrates how controversial and political the taxi system has become.
Many cab riders in the District feel that the zone system cultivates dishonesty and scamming. Every driver is able to calculate their fares under the current system, and riders don't know the tab until the cab ride ends.
With meters and zone-meter hybrids, receipts ensure accountability and keep everyone honest. Also, meters based on mileage seem fairer than randomly drawn zones.
And the zone system does seem slightly incongruous when compared with those from other major cities, such as New York and Philadelphia, which have been using the meter system for years.
Curiously, the Capitol Hill zone is quite expansive. It's one of the largest, and by a lot. Almost anywhere our trusty public servants need to go on the Hill, from boardrooms to bar rooms, is contained in one zone. Lucky them - for those on the outskirts of the city, hailing a cab means crossing several zones and parting with considerably more hard-earned green.
Is this zone system biased? Maybe. Does it cater to those traveling exclusively in the heart of the city? Definitely. But is a system that fails to address the rising costs of cab fare really the solution? Probably not. The D.C. government needs to pick a system that is equitable to all of the District's residents and cab drivers. It's only fair.
