Friday, November 16, 2012
Replacing older Taxicabs Extended for 6 months
On Wednesday, November 14, 2012, The DC Taxicabs Commission voted to extended the removal date of the older vehicles for 6 more months. Vehicles that are 1997 and older must be replaced on or before June 30, 2013.
Smart Taxi Meters Indefinitely delayed
DC Contract Appeals Board has ordered the city to cancel the Verifone contract and accept new bids, this action will definitely take months. Therefore, DC taxicab drivers should be happy that they don't have to install smart meter with GPS tracking system by Verifone.
Drivers should also be thankful to former Mayor and now DC Council-member, Marion Barry who initially stopped the contract by filing a disapproval resolution that delayed the Installation of Smart Meters by Verifone for 45 days. This delay gave more time to the Board's administrative Judge to review the complains filed by both Creative Mobile Technology and Taxi Magic who lost their bid of $35 million contract to Verifone.
Drivers should also be thankful to former Mayor and now DC Council-member, Marion Barry who initially stopped the contract by filing a disapproval resolution that delayed the Installation of Smart Meters by Verifone for 45 days. This delay gave more time to the Board's administrative Judge to review the complains filed by both Creative Mobile Technology and Taxi Magic who lost their bid of $35 million contract to Verifone.
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
Consideration to postpone removal of older vehicles
DC Taxicab Commission is considering to postpone the removal of the older taxicabs from service till June 2013, instead of January 1, 2013. This issue will be discussed and probably will be proposed by the DC Taxicab Commission's next regular meeting on November 14, 2012.
Monday, October 29, 2012
Emergency rate started 12:00 pm Today
During this emergency fare period, a flat fee of additional fifteen dollars ($15) shall be added to the metered fare.
This emergency fare takes effect at 12 noon October 29, 2012 and automatically expires after twenty four (24) hours unless cancelled sooner. Depending upon the conditions the emergency fare may be extended for an additional fixed period. Also Taxicab drivers should inform the passengers upon entering the vehicle that the emergency fare is in effect.
This emergency fare takes effect at 12 noon October 29, 2012 and automatically expires after twenty four (24) hours unless cancelled sooner. Depending upon the conditions the emergency fare may be extended for an additional fixed period. Also Taxicab drivers should inform the passengers upon entering the vehicle that the emergency fare is in effect.
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Suspension of new tags partially lifted
DC Taxicab Commission announced today that
only existing taxicab and limousine companies with at least 20 vehicles in
their fleet will be able to register new vehicle and get new tags starting on
October 15, 2012.
Individual owners will not be able to register new vehicles, they can only replace old vehicles and transfer tags, provided they have valid registrations, tags and current inspections.
Individual owners will not be able to register new vehicles, they can only replace old vehicles and transfer tags, provided they have valid registrations, tags and current inspections.
Friday, September 21, 2012
Proposed: DC Taxi Drivers are forced to install GPS
DC Taxi drivers/owners may be forced to install and pay for a GPS tracking system in their taximeter so that DC Taxicab Commission can track their trips.
The Commission assumes that every driver/owner gets 200 trips a month and with this assumption drivers/owners must pay $100 monthly. But, if drivers/owners install in their taximeter a computer chip that will allow for wireless transmission as to allow the Commission to read the meter data and authorize the commission to withdraw from drivers/owners accounts $0.50 per trip for every month.
Drivers/owners must provide checking/saving account with initial deposit of $200 and a minimum balance of $100 or credit card account for every vehicle.
The Commission assumes that every driver/owner gets 200 trips a month and with this assumption drivers/owners must pay $100 monthly. But, if drivers/owners install in their taximeter a computer chip that will allow for wireless transmission as to allow the Commission to read the meter data and authorize the commission to withdraw from drivers/owners accounts $0.50 per trip for every month.
Drivers/owners must provide checking/saving account with initial deposit of $200 and a minimum balance of $100 or credit card account for every vehicle.
Friday, August 31, 2012
Further Delay on Smart Taxi Meters Installation by a Judge
On August 31, 2012, a DC Contract Appeals Board's administrative Judge has ordered to delay the installation of Smart Taxi meters till October, 2012. This order should immediately stop Verifone for installing more Smart meters in DC Taxicabs till this Judge resolves the complains filed by both Creative Mobile Technology and Taxi Magic who lost their bid of $35 million contract to Verifone.
Thursday, August 16, 2012
More Delays on Smart Taxi Meters Installation in DC Taxicabs
Former Mayor and now DC Council-member, Marion Barry filed a disapproval resolution on Wednesday, August 15, 2012 that would delay the Installation of Smart Meters by Verifone for 45 days during an extended review period.
"D.C. law allows legislators to file disapproval resolutions to object to contracts and effectively delay them for weeks. If the full council doesn't reject the contract during a 45-day review period after a Council-member files a disapproval resolution the contract moves forward".
"D.C. law allows legislators to file disapproval resolutions to object to contracts and effectively delay them for weeks. If the full council doesn't reject the contract during a 45-day review period after a Council-member files a disapproval resolution the contract moves forward".
Thursday, July 26, 2012
DC taxicabs; No More New Tags
DC Taxicab Commission announced today, July 26, 2012 that Registration of new vehicles is suspended till further notice. Drivers and companies can only replace vehicles provided they have a current registration.
Later, the DC Taxicab Commission added some language that few people may be able to register vehicles and get new tags: Here are exceptions to the original language:
Provided that the vehicle was purchased between July 15, 2012 and July 26, 2012, and provide Proof of vehicle inspection before July 26, 2012.
Later, the DC Taxicab Commission added some language that few people may be able to register vehicles and get new tags: Here are exceptions to the original language:
Provided that the vehicle was purchased between July 15, 2012 and July 26, 2012, and provide Proof of vehicle inspection before July 26, 2012.
D.C. taxicab upgrades delayed, Good and Bad
Both Creative Mobile Technology and Taxi Magic who lost their bid to VeriFone are protesting the Reward of $35 million contract. They both filed a complaint to the DC Contract Appeals Board, this will delay the Verifone to start installing smart meters with GPS tracking system, credit card swipe and among other things in all DC taxicabs.
This delay which could last for weeks or even months is good for drivers as well as customers. Almost all drivers and most of the customers don't like the idea of being tracked and watched by uncle Ran or uncle Sam when they are in DC Taxicabs and minding their businesses. It is also bad for drivers, if they do not keep up with the new technology of accepting credit cards and dispatching and having clean cars with good customer services they will definitely lose their business to Uber, Car2Go, Bikeshare, Zipcar, Redtop and many more. Therefore, the sooner the drivers upgrade their services the better for them to stay in business.
This delay which could last for weeks or even months is good for drivers as well as customers. Almost all drivers and most of the customers don't like the idea of being tracked and watched by uncle Ran or uncle Sam when they are in DC Taxicabs and minding their businesses. It is also bad for drivers, if they do not keep up with the new technology of accepting credit cards and dispatching and having clean cars with good customer services they will definitely lose their business to Uber, Car2Go, Bikeshare, Zipcar, Redtop and many more. Therefore, the sooner the drivers upgrade their services the better for them to stay in business.
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