D.C. cab drivers complain of rising costs, regulations

D.C. cab drivers complained Monday about having to collect a new 50-cent surcharge but not receiving any of the money — even though they have to pay for new dome lights, a fresh coat of paint and, in some cases, new taxis under new regulations.

“These changes in the D.C. taxi industry are drastically increasing the cost of operating while decreasing revenue,” Jeff Schaeffer, owner of the Liberty Cab Association, said at a D.C. Council oversight hearing Monday.