Not everyone reaping rewards of low gas prices

WASHINGTON -- Not everyone is cashing in on low gas prices. Cab riders in the District are still paying a fuel surcharge.

Cabs in Fairfax and Montgomery counties, as well as Alexandria all recently dropped fuel surcharges. But riders in D.C. are still coughing up an extra buck every time they jump in a cab.

It's an issue the chairman of the D.C. Taxicab Commission is trying to remedy.

"I have heard from people who have complained about it and I take that to heart," chairman Leon Swain tells WTOP. "I am trying to get rid of the surcharge."

D.C.'s fuel surcharge in cabs first went into effect May 2, 2005 when the price of gas was $2.31 for a gallon of regular. It has come and gone since that time as the price of gas has risen and fallen.

The current $1 surcharge is scheduled to stay in effect in D.C. until Jan. 31 of next year, but it appears the commission will act soon to take that surcharge away.

"I expect to take action this week," Swain tells WTOP.

Swain says he is currently trying to contact members of the taxicab commission to talk about repealing the surcharge.

(Copyright 2008 by WTOP. All Rights Reserved.)