After deciding last month to switch to time-and-distance meters, DC mayor Adrian Fenty announced yesterday the rates and surcharges expected under the new system. If Fenty’s plan withstands public comments over the next 60 days, starting April 1 cab drivers will charge a $4 drop rate, or minimum pickup fee, for the first sixth of a mile, 25 cents for each additional sixth of a mile, and 25 cents for each 60 seconds of waiting time—defined as anytime the cab stops or slows to speeds of less than ten miles per hour. The new system retains the $1 rush-hour surcharge and additional fees for extra passengers and luggage.
What does this mean for riders? On average, expect to shell out more for longer trips and less for shorter ones than you would under the zone system. With meters, the trek from Georgetown’s Four Seasons Hotel to the White House will be more than $2 cheaper, while the ride from Union Station to Dupont Circle will add more than $3 to the tab.
Here’s how much some popular DC trips will cost under the new system. These prices assume a single passenger traveling outside of rush hour in light traffic. Heavy traffic would increase the fares under the meter system, as would additional passengers and rush hour.
19th and K sts., NW, to Cannon House Office Building (Independence and New Jersey aves., SE)—3.1 miles.
Meter, $8.75; zone, $6.50.
The Palm restaurant (19th and M sts., NW) to Georgetown (35th and O sts., NW)—1.6 miles.
Meter, $6.50; zone, $8.80.
Four Seasons Hotel (2800 Pennsylvania Ave., NW) to the White House—1.4 miles.
Meter, $6.25; zone, $8.80.
Union Station to Dupont Circle (19th and P sts., NW)—3.8 miles.
Meter, $9.75; zone, $6.50.
Tenleytown (4200 Wisconsin Ave., NW) to 15th and K sts., NW—4.1 miles.
Meter, $10.25; zone, $11.
Logan Circle (11th and P sts., NW) to Reagan National Airport—6.6 miles.
Meter, $14; zone, $12.25.
Verizon Center (Sixth and F sts., NW) to Hay-Adams Hotel (16th and H sts., NW)—1.2 miles.
Meter, $6; zone, $6.50.
Adams Morgan (18th St. and Columbia Rd., NW) to RFK Stadium (2400 E. Capitol St., NE)—5 miles.
Meter, $11.75; zone, $11.
Cady’s Alley in Georgetown (3318 M St., NW) to Woodley Park (2800 block of Connecticut Ave., NW)—2.9 miles.
Meter, $8.50; zone, $6.50.
Ready Your Wallets: Meters Come to DC Cabs
After deciding last month to switch to time-and-distance meters, DC mayor Adrian Fenty announced yesterday the rates and surcharges expected under the new system. If Fenty’s plan withstands public comments over the next 60 days, starting April 1 cab drivers will charge a $4 drop rate, or minimum pickup fee, for the first sixth of a mile, 25 cents for each additional sixth of a mile, and 25 cents for each 60 seconds of waiting time—defined as anytime the cab stops or slows to speeds of less than ten miles per hour. The new system retains the $1 rush-hour surcharge and additional fees for extra passengers and luggage.
What does this mean for riders? On average, expect to shell out more for longer trips and less for shorter ones than you would under the zone system. With meters, the trek from Georgetown’s Four Seasons Hotel to the White House will be more than $2 cheaper, while the ride from Union Station to Dupont Circle will add more than $3 to the tab.
Here’s how much some popular DC trips will cost under the new system. These prices assume a single passenger traveling outside of rush hour in light traffic. Heavy traffic would increase the fares under the meter system, as would additional passengers and rush hour.
19th and K sts., NW, to Cannon House Office Building (Independence and New Jersey aves., SE)—3.1 miles.
Meter, $8.75; zone, $6.50.
The Palm restaurant (19th and M sts., NW) to Georgetown (35th and O sts., NW)—1.6 miles.
Meter, $6.50; zone, $8.80.
Four Seasons Hotel (2800 Pennsylvania Ave., NW) to the White House—1.4 miles.
Meter, $6.25; zone, $8.80.
Union Station to Dupont Circle (19th and P sts., NW)—3.8 miles.
Meter, $9.75; zone, $6.50.
Tenleytown (4200 Wisconsin Ave., NW) to 15th and K sts., NW—4.1 miles.
Meter, $10.25; zone, $11.
Logan Circle (11th and P sts., NW) to Reagan National Airport—6.6 miles.
Meter, $14; zone, $12.25.
Verizon Center (Sixth and F sts., NW) to Hay-Adams Hotel (16th and H sts., NW)—1.2 miles.
Meter, $6; zone, $6.50.
Adams Morgan (18th St. and Columbia Rd., NW) to RFK Stadium (2400 E. Capitol St., NE)—5 miles.
Meter, $11.75; zone, $11.
Cady’s Alley in Georgetown (3318 M St., NW) to Woodley Park (2800 block of Connecticut Ave., NW)—2.9 miles.
Meter, $8.50; zone, $6.50.
Must-Reads
Take Our Restaurant Survey and You Could Win Dinner at a Mike Isabella Restaurant
10 Fall Festivals Near DC That You Don’t Want to Miss
Washingtonian’s Great Places to Work Application
DC is Getting an All-Male Burlesque Brunch
September 2016: How to Dress in DC
More from News & Politics
Everything We Think We Know About Presidential Debates Is Wrong
Do Women Have to Talk Like Men to Be Taken Seriously? And Should They?
Photos and Scenes From the African American History Museum’s Opening Day
How History Museums Around the US Have Presented the African American Experience
Frederick Could Be an Urban Suburb of DC–Unless Its Good Ol’ Boy Past Gets in Its Way
Road Closures, Traffic Detours, and Security Information for the African American History Museum Opening
FDR Defended His Dog During a Campaign Speech in DC
DC’s Most Popular Baby Names Over the Years
Most Popular
100 Very Best Restaurants
The Best Cheap Restaurants in Washington, DC
Barton Gellman Hits Washington Post’s “Passive Aggressive Critique” of Its Own Snowden Reporting
5 Ways Brangelina’s Split Affects Washingtonians
Meet 10 Washingtonians Who Are Changing What It Means to Dress Well in DC