DC Wins Taxi Meter Dispute!

WASHINGTON - A judge cleared the way for meters in all taxi cabs in D.C., but the ruling issued Monday will be appealed.

William Wright Jr., one of the members of the Taxi Cab Drivers Coalition that sued the city, tells WTOP the judge's ruling "surprised" him.

The cab drivers have 30 days to file a Notice of Appeal with the D.C. Court of Appeals.

Last October, Fenty announced the switch from the zone system to meters in order to reduce confusion and increase transparency in the fare system.

Fenty is expected to hold a news conference Tuesday morning to announce final details of the meter system.

The move to meters has prompted taxi strikes in the city, and could prompt more.

Most taxi drivers are balking at paying the estimated $350 for a meter.

City officials had said drivers who have not installed the meters will face a $1,000 fine every time they're caught picking up rides without them.

Under the meter system, cabs will charge a $3 flag drop rate and 25 cents for every one-sixth of a mile after the first sixth of a mile traveled. There also will be a 25-cent charge for every minute spent stopped or traveling less than 10 miles per hour. The snow emergency rate will be the regular fare plus 25 percent.

The maximum fare for all trips within the city will be $19.

The Washington Post's Taxi Fare Calculator can be found here.

The First Annual Target State Fair Opens in Columbia Heights!

Finally the long awaited DC USA Target State Fair has opened in Columbia Heights so personal assistant/photographer/food taster JessiCub and I decided to hit the grand opening of the midway for a day of fun!

First we followed the Munchie Map to find Corn Dogs. Everyone at the State Fair wants a Corn Dog even if it is a little early for National Corn Dog Day! The only thing better is a deep fried Twinkie but that booth must have been closed today.
























Next we hit some dope amusement park rides. No wimpy "Small World After All" or lame "Flying Tea Cup" rides here! I hold on for dear life on the "Screaming Cyclone Shopping Cart Roller Coaster" and I am whisked to the summit of Mt. Columbia. Really regretting that Corn Dog now!


















Rocketing back down to 14th St I notice I have some company on the "Screaming Cyclone Shopping Cart Roller Coaster." Someone has hurled into my cart. Hurled closet organizers. Cool! Hey maybe someone else queasy can cough up a Thomas O'Brien® Coverlet (chocolate).



















Knees shaking and still a little wobbly I wander over to the Entertainment Complex to take a break and catch a show. So who will be featured at the Target State Fair? Some classic group like The Oak Ridge Boys or comedian Yakov Smirnoff? Oh my god! High School Musical! A little bit of East High here in the CoHe! The Target State Fair is just too awesome for words! Anyway...What team? Wildcats!!! What team? Wildcats! WHAT TEAM? WILDCATS!!!




















Although the day is getting late I cannot leave without trying my luck at some Carnival games. Since the Pie Eating Contest is already over I enter the Bath Tissue Lifting Contest and astonish the crowd with my strength and dexterity. 24 rolls baby! Only $11.00! And I win a little goldfish in a bowl!


























Finally with my appetite temporarily sated, my arms full of fashionable bargains, my closet soon to be organized and the DC Treasury a little richer, we decide to say goodbye to the DC USA Target State Fair mascot, Mayor McSpeedy, and head for home. We will be back! After all, The Bed Bath and Beyond Mixed Martial Arts Challenge premieres at the DC USA Complex in another two weeks and I have been practicing my rear naked chokes.



















Well we try to get home. There is a typical DC traffic jam trying to exit. Sigh...

























Target DC
3100 14th St NW (Columbia Heights Metro)
Washington, DC 20010
(202) 777-3773
M-Fr: 8:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m.
Sa: 8:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m.
Su: 8:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m.