Below is a questionnaire that the Washington, D.C. Taxi Operators Association sent to D.C. City Councilmembers and mayoral candidates to gather information on where the councilmembers and candidates stand on the issues that matter most to D.C. taxi drivers.

Thank you to Councilmember and mayoral candidate Tommy Wells, and mayoral candidates Reta Jo Lewis and Andy Shallal for responding (see their answers below).

Our association is affiliated with Teamsters Local 922. The Teamsters are a democratic union that wants to give elected officials and candidates the opportunity to offer their views so that the union and taxi association can evaluate them.

Washington, D.C., our nation’s capital, is one of the most important cities in the world. The transportation infrastructure in D.C. is vital to the daily success of the city. The Washington, D.C. taxi drivers are an important part in keeping our city moving.

Unfortunately, over the past several months the D.C. taxi drivers have found it nearly impossible to make a living wage while providing the good service that they want to provide. They have taken huge economic hits associated with the recent mandates and regulations, the government shut down, excessive and unnecessary fines and fees, and the unprecedented inclement weather that has taken a toll on drivers and residents alike.

These hits are combined with the huge amount of unregulated cars competing in the city to take away business from the heavily regulated taxi drivers. The result: drivers have lost thousands of dollars due to the cost associated with the new meters, credit card machines, rear consoles, and dome lights. They now face additional steep costs from the requirements associated with the new paint scheme and the mandate to have newer vehicles in service.

The huge costs to drivers and their families are on top of what they have to pay to purchase and maintain their vehicles. These high costs have been imposed upon them while others are allowed to operate unregulated in our city. The changes were supposed to bring a new modern taxi industry to D.C. but the cost has been borne on the drivers. Drivers do not oppose modernization per se but they can’t sustain the cost and continue to be forced to compete with an unregulated service.

Q: In the last year, about how many times have you taken a licensed D.C. taxi cab? (For your answer, circle the appropriate letter)

A. 0                 B. 1-10                        C. 11-20          D. 21 or more                 

Tommy Wells: 21 or more

Reta Jo Lewis: 21 or more

Andy Shallal: 21 or more

Q: Recently a proposed fee increase was submitted to the D.C. Taxicab Commission (DCTC), for the Panel on the Industry and the Taxi Commission to consider. The proposed fee increases are for additional passengers, luggage and trunk use only. These increases would bring DC fees on par with surrounding areas. Do you support these fees and/or increases?

1. Yes                        B. No

Tommy Wells: Yes

Reta Jo Lewis: Yes

Andy Shallal: Yes

Q: A $200 reimbursement incentive program was introduced to offset the cost of the newly mandated paint scheme. This program is helpful, but it only covers the first 3,000 drivers who take advantage of it and doesn’t pay the full cost. Would you seek additional subsidizes to offset the costs that the drivers have been subjected to including but not limited to the paint?

1. Yes                        B. No

Tommy Wells: Yes

Reta Jo Lewis: Yes

Andy Shallal: Yes

 

The so-called ride-share companies, operating as Uber X, Sidecar and Lyft in DC are harming the livelihoods of D.C. taxi drivers. These companies and drivers are operating unregulated and are competing against the heavily regulated taxi drivers, giving them an unfair advantage. Operating unregulated raises very serious security concerns for the citizens and visitors of D.C. not to mention the city is losing tens of thousands of dollars in revenue.

 

Q: In the last year, about how many rides have you taken with Uber X, Sidecar or Lyft?

            A. 0                B. 1-5             C. 6-15           D. 16 or more

Tommy Wells: 1-5

Reta Jo Lewis: 6-15

Andy Shallal: 1

Q: Drivers of the “ride share” service can simply travel in from anywhere in the country to operate in D.C.  They can commute here when they think there will be a spike in volume for events such as the upcoming Cherry Blossom Festival. Are you aware of this?

1. Yes                        B. No

Tommy Wells: No

Reta Jo Lewis: No

Andy Shallal: Yes

 

Q: Do you agree that as it stands this unregulated service poses safety concerns in our nation’s capital?

1. Yes                        B. No

Tommy Wells: Yes

Reta Jo Lewis: Yes

Andy Shallal: Yes
 

Q: In virtually all cities including D.C., the number of taxis that are allowed to operate is monitored and limited to keep from having unnecessary congestion, pollution and to protect the industry as a whole. Allowing the unregulated “ride share” service to operate eliminates the ability to control and enforce these concerns. This allows the “ride share” cars to flood the streets while the taxis are limited. Do you agree that the number of “ride share” cars should be restricted and included in regulations?

1. Yes                        B. No

Tommy Wells: No

Reta Jo Lewis: Yes

Andy Shallal: Yes

Q: Do you agree that ride-sharing companies should be covered, at a minimum, with the same rules, insurance requirements, and regulations that are imposed on D.C. taxi drivers?

1. Yes                        B. No

Tommy Wells: Yes

Reta Jo Lewis: Yes

Andy Shallal: Yes

Q: The drivers that participate in these “ride share” services should be required to pay the same fees as a taxi driver. However, they currently are not subjected to the same fees associated with license, training requirements, background checks, face id, inspection, H-Tag, airport hang tag, and one stop cards.  By not paying these fees the city is losing revenue. Is this a concern to you?

1. Yes                        B. No

Tommy Wells: Yes

Reta Jo Lewis: Yes

Andy Shallal: Yes

 

Q: With the new regulations associated with the modernization of the taxi fleet, the taxi  drivers are required to accept credit cards and continue to accept cash.  Are you aware that the “ride share” drivers accept credit cards via their “AP” but will not accept cash?

1. Yes                        B. No

Tommy Wells: Yes

Reta Jo Lewis: Yes

Andy Shallal: Yes

 

Q: Will you support immediately prohibiting these ride-sharing companies from operating in D.C. until a fair resolution is reached?

1. Yes                        B. No

Tommy Wells: No

Reta Jo Lewis: No

Andy Shallal: No response

 

The DCTC is the regulating body for the D.C. Taxi Industry. Currently the DCTC is comprised of eight commissioners including the chairman. Out of the eight, there are only two commissioners from the “Taxi Industry.” 

Q: Would you support changing the makeup of the DCTC to mandate that at least half of the seats be filled with people from the “Taxi Industry”?

1. Yes                        B. No

Tommy Wells: I support the elimination of the DCTC and creation of a more efficient system.

Reta Jo Lewis: Yes. This only makes sense.

Andy Shallal: No response

 

Q: Many taxi drivers feel as if they have been harassed by hack inspectors and feel as if the hack inspectors issue unwarranted and unfair tickets and fines. What would you do to ensure that this doesn’t happen and that the D.C. taxi drivers are treated with the respect that they deserve? (please explain)

(leave space for answer)

 

Tommy Wells: Yes. The recent example of inspectors with criminal records is a great example of the problems. I support eliminating the archaic DCTC and creating a new office in DDOT that respects drivers and passengers equally rather than only representing corporations. I am the only viable candidate for mayor not under the control of DCTC and who has spoken out about problems.

 

Reta Jo Lewis: This is, of course, an issue. There is no place at all in our city government or in our city services for harassment and I would put a stop to this. We need to be very clear about the regulations, but mostly, we need to make sure that the cab operators have a seat at the table and a voice in the discussions. Your industry provides a tremendous service to thousands of residents and visitors every single day—you should have a voice in how you’re governed, how you’re regulated, and what our government is doing to support your industry.

 

Andy Shallal: I will meet with taxi drivers to hear directly about the problems they are encountering from hack inspectors. Based on this information, I will take whatever actions are necessary to ensure that taxi drivers are treated fairly and with respect.

 

Q: Drivers have seen many cabs from surrounding areas pick up passengers in D.C.  Some have been told by hack inspectors that they have no authority to ticket or fine such cabs. They instead focus on scrutinizing the D.C. drivers.  What would you do to stop these illegal cabs and ensure that all taxis picking up passengers in D.C. are licensed to do so? (please explain)

(leave room for answer)

Tommy Wells: Enforcement issues are a legal matter and must be enforced by MPD with fines worthy of curtailing the activity. As Mayor I would send a strong signal to surrounding jurisdictions that this practice will come to an end.

 

Reta Jo Lewis: Again, this is wrong. If an out-of-state cab is illegally picking up a passenger then they should be ticketed and fined. As for what our city does with local cabs, I can commit that operators will have a solid voice in a Lewis Administration.

 

Andy Shallal: I would require inspectors to strictly enforce the prohibition against cabs from outside DC.

 

Q: What would you do to improve the D.C. taxi industry as a whole? (please explain)

 

(leave room for answer)

Tommy Wells: Again, I would begin with the elimination of the DCTC and create an organization within DDDT that ends wage theft from drivers and improves the use of reliable technology. I would work with you to create new transportation hubs and give you fair representation unlike the current system.

 

Reta Jo Lewis: Partnerships, partnerships, partnerships. Clearly, our cab drivers and operators have been treated unfairly. The last go-round with the new decals and signage is a perfect example. The intent is to ensure safety for the passenger, but it cannot happen without the involvement and the voice of the very people who make their livelihood providing a service to our residents and visitors. Far too often, things happen to people and not with people in our city—this is a clear example of an over-reach by the taxi commission. We need to ensure that we have the right balance between safety and regulation, but we also need to ensure that we have the right voices at the tablet o discuss the larger picture of what we are all trying to accomplish and find concessions, when necessary, to ensure compliance in a way that will not bankrupt a particular driver or company. We need to ensure that we are talking directly with the operators and owners to include them on decisions that impact their industry.

Andy Shallal: The problems of taxi drivers are long-standing. I will work with the commission and with drivers to develop solutions to resolve these problems on a permanent basis.

 

 

 

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