Contact: Neville Waters (202) 645-6020

The DC Taxicab Commission (DCTC) today told representatives of DC Drivers United for Equal Rights it will consider on a case-by-case basis whether a driver was unfairly denied the reasonable opportunity to install the Modern Taximeter System (MTS) by the September 30 deadline.

The representatives expressed anxiety regarding the potential of vehicle impoundment and the resulting loss of income from the enforcement actions against vehicles not in compliance. The issues outlined included misunderstandings between drivers, companies and Payment Service Providers (PSPs) which has left some drivers without the MTS and no scheduled installation prior the deadline date.

Although no extension of the deadline was granted, DCTC did agree to review the specific hardship circumstances provided only through DC Drivers United for Equal Rights to determine if any relief would be warranted.

DCTC is projecting about 5,100 taxis will be equipped with MTS by October 1; which represents 80 percent of the active fleet. PSPs should have the necessary capacity to handle the approximately 1,000 installations during the first week of October. This will resolve the needs of those drivers who previously have been unable to obtain the appropriate equipment. Enforcement action is planned to proceed against vehicles without MTS on October 1.