The price to take a taxi ride in the District of Columbia is about to go up.

Continue reading

The D.C. Taxicab Commission voted Tuesday to raise the per-mile rate to ride in a cab within the District to $2.16. The rate hike is a 44 percent increase from the previous charge of $1.50 per mile.

The Commission also voted to increase the wait time charge by $10 per hour to $25.

Several surcharges, including luggage, animal, dismissal, fuel and additional passenger surcharges, will be eliminated as part of the rate hike. The flag-drop rate of $3 remains the same.

A 30-day comment period will begin on Dec. 23. If approved, the new rates could go into effect on Feb. 3.

The Commission says that the rate increases will bring the District's fares more in line with those in surrounding jurisdictions and contribute to the modernization of the city's taxi fleet.