WASHINGTON - Taxi cabs boycotted a D.C. neighborhood Saturday night, refusing to pick up passengers.

"Well I think it's going to be awful, because there is no Metro close by," said J.C. McKinney, a D.C. Resident.

On a normal weekend night, around a thousand cabs cruise the streets of Adams Morgan, but on Saturday patrons like Pete Purcell were hard pressed to find even one.

"There is definitely going to be more drinking an driving...you don't have the option," Purcell said.

That's because from 1 a.m. until 4 a.m. Saturday- when bar and club revelers are on the curb waiting to get picked up - cabs vanished as part of a boycott that does not only effect patrons but businesses in the area.

"We are tired of walking and would love to take a cab," said Susan O'Duffy, D.C. Resident.

The taxi cab driver are protesting Coucilman Jim Graham's recent idea to implement a medallion rating system, which would force cabbies to pay a monthly fee. Many cabbies like Negusse Tesfay are also fed up with the District's new metered fare system, which currently puts D.C. With the lowest meter rates in the nation at $1.50 a mile.

"Money wise it is hurting us," Tesfay said. "Before we used to make $100, now we make like $50."

In fact, the 20-year veteran says financially he is hurting like never before. "We cannot survive. I have to clock 16 hours a day to make a living..." he said.

Saturday's boycott came amid a major scandal involving the taxi industry. Graham's legislation on the Medallion system was abruptly dropped after his chief of staff was arrested by the FBI (web) for allegedly promoting the bill in exchange for cash and gifts.

Just yesterday, 39 other people were also indicted on bribery charges. Even though the bill now sits dormant, taxi drivers are still taking a stand this weekend and residents will pay the price.

 Email To Friend