The Meter May Start Running for Cab Riders

WASHINGTON - It has been one of the great debates in Washington: meters or zones? WTOP has learned, it could be both.

The D.C. Taxi Cab Commission is set to vote on its recommendation to the mayor next Tuesday. Several sources tell WTOP the majority of the commissioners are leaning toward recommending a meter system that is based on the current zone fares, rather than time and distance like most cabs across the country.

Yellow Cab, one of the largest cab companies in the city, has already installed the mobile data terminals in 300 of its cabs. According to the company's website, the terminals "can perform accurate fare calculations."

Some on the taxi commission aren't so sure, which is why a public hearing is scheduled for next Tuesday.

In a recent telephone poll by Zogby, two thirds of D.C. residents said they are unhappy with the current zone system.

In a Zogby paper poll of 600 cab drivers, about half said they would prefer a meter system based on the zone fares, a quarter wanted time and distance meters and a quarter said no meters at all.

D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty has until October to choose a fare system or the city will have to switch to time and distance meters due to a provision passed by Congress in the District's budget.

Fenty has said he won't make any decision until after he hears from the taxi commission.