Contact: Neville Waters (202) 645-6020
The DC Taxicab Commission (DCTC) today announces the selection of Yellow Cab Company and Transco Inc to participate in the CAPS-DC program. These companies will receive grants to assist with the acquisition of thirty three MetroAccess vans to convert to wheelchair accessible taxicab service and transport CAPS-DC participants to dialysis treatment.
The CAPS-DC program will begin service on October 1. Eligible participants will be able to travel to treatment without making multiple stops. Wheelchair accessible vehicles (WAVs) will be available for program participants in need of that type of service. While CAPS-DC participants have priority, WAVs will also be available to anyone in the public.
Through the CAPS-DC program rides can be booked one hour in advance rather a day ahead and participants will have no increase in their out-of-pocket costs. District tax payers will realize a savings through this pilot program with a reduction of up to $1.8 million in subsidy payments to MetroAccess. The taxicab companies must purchase new WAVs for every 3,000 rides taken via the CAPS-DC program adding another 30 to 35 new WAVs to the District’s fleet in the first year.
The grant awards approved Yellow Cab and Transco to receive $4,800 per vehicle towards the purchase price of the WAVs made available through a closed auction of MetroAccess vans; and an additional grant award for up to $1,500 for vehicle preparation costs (i.e., meter and dome light installation, painting, mechanical repairs). The auction will be held on Monday, September 8, 2014. After the vehicles are retired from service in the CAPS-DC program, they will be used for other community services as directed by DCTC.
The grants were awarded to the companies based on criteria including: the determination of adequate financial resources to obtain wheelchair accessible vehicles (WAVs) and compensate drivers; a central dispatch system; the capability to submit monthly reports; the legal status to conduct business in the District of Columbia; and a satisfactory record of past performance in the taxicab business.