NEWS

D.C. to Roll Out Less-Confusing Taxi Zone Map

Courtesy D.C. Taxicab CommissionD.C. MAYOR ADRIAN FENTY prides himself on knowing the fastest route between any two points in the District. (This writer would, some day, like to challenge the mayor in a test of navigation skills. We like to think his knowledge of the Metrobus system doesn't stack up to ours.) Fenty has a security detail that whisks him around town these days, but that doesn't mean he's forgotten about the plight of those who use taxicabs in the District. While Fenty has not moved to get rid of the confusing fare-zone system — yet — his city administrator, Dan Tangherlini, has taken steps to make the current system slightly easier to understand.

The old map, seen here, is being thrown out to be replaced by a new one that'll be turned to orient north instead of northeast. The Examiner's Michael Neibauer reports this morning that additional navigational features will be added to make the map, which is currently "delineated only by the streets that border the zones," easier to understand.

To critics of the District's taxi cab fare zone system — and the trickery some drivers have been known to use to squeeze a couple more bucks out of tourists and gullible locals — it's a move in the right direction.

» "District to Design New Cab Fare Map" [Examiner]

Map courtesy D.C. Taxicab Commission

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COMMENTS (3)

  • Local blogger Jimbo did this more than a year ago. But he is a fan of DanTan, so I'm sure he won't mind.

    By chrisafer , Posted January 12, 2007 4:08 PM

  • A "Thank You" - or a check - would be nice.

    I think I need to start gettin' paid to feed people this stuff.

    By jimbo , Posted January 12, 2007 7:17 PM

  • What is even better is the map that used to be on the trip sheet booklet published by Nowlin's. It had some of the major avenues as well as various points of interest and even a few neighbourhood names.

    Mr. Nowlin died a few years back, but first his children, then a print shop on Missouri Avenue, was printing it, but even they ceased to do it. Still, I have little doubt that there are some copies of it still out there. That would be better for the public.

    There is nothing wrong with the current zone system. Now, you can go to the D.C. Taxicab Commission website and get your fare. Just remember that the first figure that you get is a BASE FARE only. You must then answeer the Fare Calculator's questions abut Rush Hour, Calls, additional passengers and the like. It will then invite you to recalculate to get your actual fare.

    The argument advanced by metre proponents that a metre results in fewer arguments does not play out in the real world. Take it from someone who has driven both metred and zone cabs--you get MORE arguments with a metre.

    By brokemoto , Posted January 18, 2007 9:01 AM
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