The Associated Press Monday, August 3, 2009; 8:04 AM

The D.C. Council has lifted a $19 cap on taxicab rides that start and end in the District.

The cap was intended to protect residents east of the Anacostia River who live far from their jobs and many basic services.

But Ward 1 Councilman Jim Graham calls the cap "artificial, arbitrary and unfair."

The District replaced a zoned system for cab fares with time and distance meters last year, but the $19 cap was a remnant of that system. Cab drivers have been pushing for its end.

Graham says the new system will allow drivers to get fair compensation.
Ward 8 Councilman Marion Barry initially opposed the amendment, arguing it would hurt his constituents. But he withdrew his opposition after he was told most drives within the District don't hit $19 unless traffic is very heavy.

So...now that cab drivers got the cap lifted can someone make cab drivers stop discriminating on taking River East trips? On more than one occassion I have been refused service from a cab driver who refused to go East of the River. I've had to get creative and tell a cab driver that I was going to Bolling Airforce Base or National Stadium and then at the last minute have them direct me home otherwise they would refuse the fair outright.

Anyone who has every tried to call a cab from River East knows the frustration of waiting and waiting and waiting and no cab comes. Geographic discrimination is still a big issue over here. I would love to see the Washington Post or one of these news stations do an investigative story on how hard it is for River East resident trying to get cab service or delivery service in and out of River East - Anacostia in particular.

For more Congress Heights and River East news visit The Congress Heights Examiner website, http://www.examiner.com/x-13507-Congress-Heights-Community-Examiner

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