The District of Columbia Taxicab Commission voted yesterday to reinstate the operating authority of the Anacostia Cab Company to provide taxicab service, with a one year probation period. The company’s license was revoked in January because it was found in substantial violation of Commission regulations.
Among other things, it was not properly registered with the Commission and its drivers were observed committing “significant traffic and behavior violations, including fleeing….hack inspectors…to avoid enforcement.”
Actions the company has taken in order to come into compliance include paying a $4,670 fine, properly registering with the Commission as a taxicab company, and establishing an enforceable code of conduct for its drivers. The one year probationary period includes a requirement to submit status reports every 90 days.
“Everybody who operates or rides in a taxicab in the District benefits from strict and equal enforcement of our rules,” said Ron Linton, DCTC chairman. “In this case, we shut down the Anacostia Cab Co. in January after we conducted a full investigation and found numerous violations of our rules and regulations. They have made all penalty payments required and we have now reached a mutually satisfactory written agreement on how they will operate for this next year that we expect will lead to full reinstatement.”
Also on Wednesday, the Commission took final action to authorize shared riding, with a designated starter at Nationals Park. This location joins Union Station and the Verizon Center as shared ride venues. The Commission staff was also instructed to study implementing further ridesharing stands at RFK Stadium, the Walter Washington Convention Center and the Kennedy Center, as well as how to fully implement it at the Verizon Center.
In other action the Commission voted to republish proposed regulation changes in Chapter 6 and Chapter 8 of Title 31. Chapter 6 covers parts and equipment and Chapter 8 affects conduct, performance and penalties. The full text of proposed changes can be found here. Read the Proposed Rulemaking: Chapter 6 | Chapter 8. These proposed rule changes now are open for written comment for 15 and 30 days, respectively.