Alexandria taxicab drivers say city laws are putting drivers and dispatch companies out of business.
“It’s time for a meter increase,” said taxi operator Chand Dodhy, who argued the city’s current rates and regulations are choking the local taxi industry.
The city implemented new taxicab laws in 2005, which required that each driver respond to at least two dispatch calls per day. The rules were meant to ensure residents could rely on taxis to show up when called. But problems persist.
“It’s still a challenge to call a taxi company and get service at your house,” said Councilman Rob Krupicka, who explained that many cab drivers neglect house calls in favor of camping out at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airportor at local hotels in anticipation of meatier fares.
At least one cab company has gone out of business since the city implemented the 2005 regulations, and several others are on probation for falling short of the dispatch requirements.
The city is conducting a five-year review of Alexandria’s taxicab laws that could do away with the dispatch penalties, according to transportation department spokesman Bob Garbacz.
Garbacz also said the city could pass a fare rate increase later this year — the first in more than three years.
But local drivers say the city has failed to include cab operators in the discussions.
“As independent contractors, we have a right to be at the table whenever decisions are made,” said Randy Stephens, a native of Alexandria and a 37-year taxicab veteran.
Alexandria taxi drivers are responsible for buying and maintaining their own vehicles and automobile insurance. Drivers team up with local dispatch companies, which receive a slice of every cab fare, but ultimately taxi drivers work for themselves.
City Manager Jim Hartmann said the city had reached out to the dispatch company owners during the review period.
“We put the onus on the cab company ownership to come up with some ideas, to work with all the drivers and to do that outreach,” he said.
But Dodhy argued the city should be working with taxicab owners, not the dispatch companies.
“The owner-operators buy the car, pay the insurance, and take all the heat,” he said. “The dispatchers have no investment.”
The City Council is scheduled to consider new taxi regulations next month.
mailto:[email protected] “>[email protected]
