Time and distance meters were supposed to be officially rolling, but a majority of cabs are still operating with out them. 

Cabbie Jerry Carroll said there was a lot of confusion about the new system and a serious shortage of meters. "We only got like 20 meters in with the attachment that we have, so it's going to be a while before we get them in. I doubt we're going to get them in this month," he said.

Cab drivers were given a 30-day grace period before they could be fined $1,000 for not having the meters.

Inspectors for the D.C. Taxicab Commission canvassed the city Thursday checking to see if cabs that had the new meters were using them. 

Nathaniel Catlett was one of the taxi drivers who were stopped. He had a meter in, but it wasn't working yet. "Because the meter was already in place, I was ok. I think they understood by me having a yellow cab and the meter being in place, its just a matter of making adjustments as opposed to no meter at all," he said.

On Wednesday, the D.C. Court of Appeals refused to delay the switch to meters.

Longtime D.C. resident, Tammy Robinson, said she was used to the zone system and she found it consistent. She was also anxious to take her first ride in a metered cab. "I think it will probably be a little less expensive, I do, I don't have that far to go," she said.  

The zone-system for cab fares in the D.C. area had been used since 1933.

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