We’re not sure whether this is a win for the big guy or the
little guy, but regardless, the DC City Council today handed a
victory to a ritzy upstart car service Uber, which has been
operating here since only late last year. The council for now
shelved a proposal that would have set a price floor for the
on-demand car service. It operates as an app and is open to anyone
who sets up a membership via credit card. The measure would
have required Uber to charge a base fare of no less than five
times what it costs when the meter starts in a DC cab, which
adds up to about $15. As it is right now, Uber’s website lists
its DC base price as $7 for a sedan and $14 for an SUV, with a
rate of $3.25 or $4 per mile at a speed of more than 11 miles
per hour, respectively. The minimum fares are $15 for a sedan
and $25 for an SUV. While more expensive than a traditional
taxi, Uber promises pickup in a timely fashion in a clean,
polished vehicle. The DC Taxi Commission has accused the chauffered
car service of being illegal.
The shelving of the proposal, which was introduced by Ward 3 council member Mary Cheh, came after noisy opposition flooded social media. Here is a sampling from the Twitterverse:
Uber Wins Round One in Battle With DC City Council
A proposal to set a higher price floor for the on-demand car service was shelved today.
We’re not sure whether this is a win for the big guy or the
little guy, but regardless, the DC City Council today handed a
victory to a ritzy upstart car service Uber, which has been
operating here since only late last year. The council for now
shelved a proposal that would have set a price floor for the
on-demand car service. It operates as an app and is open to anyone
who sets up a membership via credit card. The measure would
have required Uber to charge a base fare of no less than five
times what it costs when the meter starts in a DC cab, which
adds up to about $15. As it is right now, Uber’s website lists
its DC base price as $7 for a sedan and $14 for an SUV, with a
rate of $3.25 or $4 per mile at a speed of more than 11 miles
per hour, respectively. The minimum fares are $15 for a sedan
and $25 for an SUV. While more expensive than a traditional
taxi, Uber promises pickup in a timely fashion in a clean,
polished vehicle. The DC Taxi Commission has accused the chauffered
car service of being illegal.
The shelving of the proposal, which was introduced by Ward 3 council member
Mary Cheh, came after noisy opposition flooded social media. Here is a sampling from the Twitterverse:
Most Popular in News & Politics
What It Felt Like for a Virginia Marching Band to Win Metallica’s Contest
Meet the 2023 Washingtonians of the Year
What’s IN and OUT in DC Restaurant Trends for 2024
Introducing 8 of DC’s Most Stylish
Washingtonian Magazine
April 2024: Great Places to Live
View IssueSubscribe
Follow Us on Social
Follow Us on Social
Related
13 Major Concerts and Music Festivals in the DC Area This Spring
Mary Timony on Her Emotional New Album, “Untame the Tiger”
The Beatles in DC: A New Exhibit in Maryland Looks Back on Early Beatlemania
Northern Virginia High School Wins Metallica’s Marching Band Competition
More from News & Politics
The Potomac Yard Stadium Deal Is Dead—Here Are the Winners and Losers
The Great Restaurant Fee Fiasco
Capitals and Wizards Will Reportedly Stay in DC as Alexandria Declares Arena Deal Dead
3 Tax Credits to Know About in 2024
In Oppenheimer’s Fallout, Atom Bomb Test Survivors Lobby for Congressional Help
The Resolute Desk Is Ugly and the President Should Get a New One
5 Ways Federal Agencies Are Already Using AI
From Tupac to Sean Taylor: Wild Nights in DC’s Clubs