Taxi drivers strike in Washington DC

by Rob Peters | February 4, 2008 at 09:41 am

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Many cabbies are on strike in DC today because of new pricing rules that could hamper business. No word on the number of strikers yet, but limos are suddenly popular at hotels across the city.

TO PROTEST D.C. MAYOR ADRIAN FENTY'S plan to mandate time-and-distance meters in the city's taxicab fleet, some cabbies are set to strike today, the first day of a rolling multi-week protest that is scheduled to hit again next Tuesday, then two Wednesdays from now and so on. As The Post's Nikita Stewart writes, it's unclear how many cab drivers will participate.

Mayor Adrian M. Fenty (D) recently announced the final new rules for the D.C. taxi industry, including the changeover to meters, a $3 base rate for trips and a maximum fare of $18.90 for rides within the city.

Taxi drivers have said the changes could put them out of business and discourage poorer residents from taking cabs because they will not be able to predict their fares.