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.

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.