Mark Segraves, wtop.com

WASHINGTON — The D.C. Taxi Cab Commission meets Tuesday to consider a possible rate increase for the District’s 8,500 taxis.

The increase was proposed by an independent cab driver in November. It would increase the rate per-mile from $1.50 to $2.75 and the wait time fee would go from $15 to $25 per hour. The drop rate, which is the initial fee you pay when the ride begins, would decrease from $3 to $2.75 and some surcharges would be dropped.

The four-member commission will hear testimony from four groups of taxi cab drivers who support the fare increase as well as four groups who either oppose the increases or want to mandate service improvements as part of the rate increases.

The commission will not vote on the proposal until a special Dec. 13 meeting.

The commission currently has five vacancies and no means of breaking a tie vote, so at least three commissioners would have to agree on any change. Sources say it’s likely the commissioners would vote for some type of fare increase but not the $1.25 proposed by the drivers.

If the commission approves any changes to the fare system there would be a 45-day comment period before another public hearing in January. Any changes would not take effect until sometime in February.

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