August 2018
Director  Ernest Chrappah
A Message To Riders

Thank you for recognizing that DFHV is making the effort to be responsive to your feedback about Uber, Lyft, Via, limousine, and taxi services in the District of Columbia.  
 
As the summer comes to an end we ask you - members of the public - to share with us topics you will like to see in future correspondences with the for-hire ride industry.
 
We appreciate your engagement with us through social media, Ask the Director, the telephone, and at community meetings. We are making progress in removing transit challenges so residents and visitors to the District are able to access a safe, affordable, and accessible ride of their choice.

Vision Zero Education and Safety Program

As a part of the Bowser Administration's Vision Zero safety initiative, the Department of For-Hire Vehicles (DFHV) partnered with the  District Department of Transportation (DDOT) to recognize drivers who exhibited the highest safety records while operating taxicabs in the District of Columbia.

Congratulations to those drivers who received a one-time $1,000 award:
  • Samson Abraham - Capitol Cab
  • Israr Ahmad - Bay Cab
  • Gurmail Darhele - Capitol Cab
  • Faisal Nawaz - Capitol Cab
  • Michael Yitbarek - UVC
The Vision Zero safety initiative seeks to achieve zero traffic fatalities and serious injuries in the District by the year 2024 through better engineering of roadways, more effective education efforts, smarter use of data and safety analysis, and the enforcement of laws.

For more information, visit the Vision Zero Initiative . DFHV strongly supports the initiative and encourages all operators to drive safely .

Vision Zero Education and Safety Program Award Winners
(L to R) Faisal Nawaz, Michael Yitbarek, Israr Ahmad, Samson Abraham
Transportation as a Service (TaaS)

Stay tuned for the launch of the T ransportation as a Service (TaaS) Pilot Program in Fiscal Year 2019. The goal of TaaS is to offer the means for mobility to any District resident who needs a ride to attend school, to get to work, or to make a medical appointment. TaaS will help remove transportation barriers to meet consumer needs.
 
TaaS will offer multiple platforms to residents who register and qualify for rides to include people with disabilities, veterans, foster children, individuals who lack access to smartphone technology, or meet specific income criteria. Services will provide greater access to shared rides, expansion of wheelchair accessible trips, and the implementation of loyalty programs with discounted fares and free rides. Grants may also be made available to operators to assist with implementing this pilot program. 

Residents can begin to register now for the TaaS Pilot Program. 
Shared Riding

This is a reminder that shared rides can now be arranged through the digital meters in District taxicabs. The shared ride rate of $1.20 per mile is about 40% less than the standard rate. Additionally, the fare calculation method maximizes consumer choice and operator income according to the Administrative Issuance 2018-05. 
DFHV Public Hearing

Panelists Listen to Testimony
DFHV recently held a Public Hearing to review published rules to establish a cap for Transport DC fares of $33.00; and reestablished a fine amount of $500.00 for serious violations of Title 31.

For-Hire Vehicle Advisory Council members Dottie Wade and Dawit Dagnew attended the hearing and shared their concerns about for-hire vehicle operators including traffic congestion and safe driving. The format of most hearings allows the public to offer comments and participate in rulemaking. Hearings are also streamed on the  DFHV Facebook page.

Review minutes from prior hearings and meetings which are available at  DFHV.dc.gov. Feedback from the public can always be submitted to  DFHV@dc.gov. You're invited to get involved to make sure your voice is heard.
Resource Center
The Client Services Resource Center is available on every Tuesday and Thursday from 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm. Drivers are encouraged to come in during this period for assistance with online submissions and/or to complete the required online training courses. Laptops will be on-site for use so take advantage of this opportunity to receive specialized one-on-one service. The Client Services Center can also be conveniently contacted anytime by submitting questions to the  DFHV Inquiry Form . Replies will be sent within 24 hours or the next business day.  
Contact Information
All owners and operators licensed by or registered with the Department of For-Hire Vehicles are required to maintain their current contact information on file which must include a current mailing address, phone number and email address. Client Services will not conduct a transaction without verification.
   
Tell Us What You Think
Your feedback is critical for the Department of For-Hire Vehicles. The suggestions and observations received from those in the industry, related stakeholders and the general public offer useful insight that shapes policies, programs and regulations.  Give Feedback . 
Department of For-Hire Vehicles 
2235 Shannon Place, SE, Suite 3001
Washington, DC 20020
202.645.7300