For those of us who live or work in Georgetown, public transportation is not always the best option. With the closest Metro stations not being really nearby, we tend to depend a lot on taxis to get around.
D.C. Council member Mary M. Cheh (D-Ward 3) will proceed with a Jan. 30 hearing on the D.C. Taxicab Reform Bill. The reform comes after the D.C. Taxicab Commision’s decision in December to increase taxi fares, according to the Washington Post. “We want an enhanced level of service and better overall performance,” Cheh told the Washington Post.
If the bill passes, various improvements in the District’s taxi service could make our everyday taxi rides go more smoothly. The bill proposes that taxis will need to have equipment that allows customers to pay with credit card and to have roof lights that clearly indicate whether the cab is available or occupied. These improvements are supported by nine out of ten taxi riders, according to
a non-scientific internet survey initiated by Cheh.
Another improvement that would make our taxi rides easier is the proposal within the bill that all taxis should install GPS devices. The bill also proposes that taxi drivers should go through a training course, covering geography, passenger relations skills and driving skills.
Cheh’s bill also proposes that all taxis should have a similar color. Her internet survey shows that yellow is most popular among the taxi riders, if the taxis are required to have uniform color. ”I hope they don’t go with yellow,” Cheh — who prefers white — told the Washington Post.
