MEDIA CONTACT: Neville Waters 202.645.6020; [email protected]

The DC Taxicab Commission (DCTC) Anonymous Rider Program results for the 30-day period beginning August, 28, 2014 found 84 refusal to haul violations from among 308 rides; and 28 nonfunctioning credit card readers from among 300 rides.

The Anonymous Rider Program augments the DCTC Enforcement Officers as an on-going program. The primary objective of this enforcement program is to target violations for refusal to haul and determine that the Modern Taximeter System (MTS) is fully operational and able to process credit card payments.

Taxi drivers must pick up anyone seeking their service. The only valid reasons for a taxi driver to refuse service is if the rider is severely inebriated or the driver fears physical harm. These most current results showed the reliability rate of credit card acceptance decreased from 96% to 91% as compared to previous tests of the system’s operation.

The deployment of anonymous riders includes African Americans and whites, males and females, and a range of ages, as well as, an individual in a wheelchair and a person requiring the assistance of a seeing-eye dog.

Passengers should be aware that vehicles without an approved MTS to properly process credit cards should not be operating and picking up riders. Drivers are also required to provide a receipt from the MTS. The use of unapproved devices for credit card payments can result in fines to drivers of $1,000. The fine for refusal to haul violations is $500.