WASHINGTON – The D.C. Council is considering a bill that would fundamentally change the way people pay for taxi rides in the nation’s capital.
The measure would allow passengers to pay a set fair based on what the demand is at the time, instead of being charged on the meter, little-by-little as each mile goes by.
The change would only apply to riders who booked a cab through their smartphones or tablets. Those who stand on the street and hail a cab would have to stick with the meters.
Around the nation, taxis have been struggling with new competition from “ridesharing services.” The companies send a driver straight to the passenger after they request one through an app.
If the measure passes, D.C. would become one of the first cities in the country to give cabdrivers that payment option.
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