The Economics of D.C. Taxicab Rates

Edgeworth Chief Executive Officer Dr. John H. Johnson testified on behalf of the D.C. Professional Taxicab Drivers Association and the Dominion of Cabdrivers in front of the Washington, D.C. Taxicab Commission. The Commission was considering whether to increase current taxicab rates in the nation’s capital. Dr. Johnson provided economic facts regarding current Washington, D.C., taxicab rates and compared those rates to several benchmark rates, including:

• Surrounding areas such as cities in Virginia and Maryland
• Major metropolitan areas with similar costs of living
• The costs of traveling on Washington, D.C. Metrorail and Metrobus 

In addition, he discussed the per capita supply of taxicabs in Washington, D.C. as compared to those in other major cities.