At the moment, D.C. doesn't have much taxi's on its streets that have full support for folks in wheelchairs, but that is all about to change come Oct. 1, 2014. By that time, more wheelchair supported taxis will cruise the streets of D.C. in an effort to improve customer service.
This particular initiative was recently approved by the D.C. Taxicab Commission. The taxi system in its current condition is in need of reform as the likes of Lyft and Uber are taking over at a rapid pace. Much is being laid on the table here, even for the ability for cabs to accept credit cards, along with installing new dome lights.
Furthermore, the commission wants cab drivers to change their uniforms to something that mimics the buses owned by the District Circulator. In addition, there is even a plan in the pipeline for a new text system that will allow for business to call taxis for large groups.
"What we are hearing not infrequently is that after the end of a big banquet or other event, there may be a couple hundred people ready to go home but only 10 or 15 cabs," said commission chairman Ron Linton.
If everything works out correctly, users who are approved would be able to broadcast a message to cab drivers that they are needed at a particular space. This type of message would be transmitted to a monitor in every cab driver's car, giving them the option to respond if they so wish.
Up until this point, cab drivers in the D.C. area relied on word of mouth and the newspapers to know when large events would be happening.
On the matter of wheelchair supported cabs, the commission plans to have 65 of these cabs on the streets by the first year alone. This number could double by the end of the second year if it proves successful.
From what we are seeing, if it wasn't for Lyft and Uber, these reforms might have never happened. Let's hope the competition continues to grow as it is good for business and the consumer. More so for the consumer, because they would benefit from decrease in prices and improved services.
