Cabs lack new time and distance meters

WASHINGTON - Finding a cab with a time and distance meter in the District is not an easy thing to do. But, when you find one, you'll notice a difference in how much you pay.

D.C. taxis are supposed to have those new time and distance meters installed by today, but many don't.

WTOP went on a cab cost comparison Thursday to gauge the difference in price between the zone system and time and distance meters.

A trip from Wisconsin and Idaho Avenues in Northwest to Dupont Circle, after rush hour, cost $11, plus a $1 gas surcharge, bringing the total to $12 for the three zones traveled.

The same trip on the way back with a time and distance based meter cost $8.50, with $1 gas surcharge, for a total of $9.50.

A full $2.50 cheaper.

The cab driver was not happy about the difference.

"That is going to hurt everybody. All 7,000 cab drivers and their families," he said.

Finding a cab with a meter on the street was not easy, it took WTOP seven cabs and 25 minutes to finally flag one down.

At Union Station Thursday morning WTOP could only find three cabs with the meters.

"The companies don't have them," one Yellow Cab taxi driver said. "They haven't produced enough meters to put them in these cabs."

The new meters replace D.C.'s dated zone system that confuses people.

On Wednesday, the D.C. Court of Appeals denied a bid by cab drivers to postpone the deadline to make the switch. A judge has ruled the mayor had the authority to order the change to time and distance meters.

The city starts handing out warnings Thursday, but the District won't start fining drivers until June 1. Drivers without meters will face $1,000 fines.

(Copyright 2008 by WTOP. All Rights Reserved.)