Mayor considers raising taxi rates

Taking a taxi in the District could cost you more in the future. Mayor Vincent Gray has already lifted a $19 fare cap and re-instated a $1 fuel surcharge. Now talk is turning to a full fare increase.

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Mayor Vincent Gray said on Newstalk Thursday that he is open to raising fares, the second time he’s made this suggestion in the past week.

“It's not the meters themselves. It's the rate that the meters are set at. That's something we are going to look at. And I think when you look at it and compare it to other cities, our taxi rates are low,” Gray said. D.C. cabs have been driving with meters for the past three years.

Taxi drivers also point to higher rates right across the Potomac. The initial pick-up fee in D.C. is $3, with $1.50 added for each mile thereafter.

In Arlington, for example, the pick-up fee is lower and each mile will cost you $2.

"I love the meter but I'd like to see them raise the fare so it's comparable to what we were making before the meter came in,” said taxi driver Ebong Akpabio.

Reaction from riders is mixed. So far, there’s no word on when or if Gray will move forward with raising fares.

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