The D.C. Taxicab Commission approved a move Wednesday that will push all cabs to accept credit and debit cards by Aug. 31 but hike up fees, the Washington Post reported.
The decision would bring the District in line with most other metropolitan areas, as some D.C. cabs will start to accept the credit or debt payments as early as June 1.
Fare will increase by 25 cents to help fund the installation of more modern pay meters in all cabs by the end of the summer.
Base fare will rise June 1 from $3 to $3.25, and the city will reinstitute an extra $1 fee for all additional riders beyond the first, which it had struck down a year ago.
The District has estimated the new system will cost an average of $970 annually per vehicle, the Post reported. Transaction fees take up almost half of that cost, followed by installation, maintenance and wireless fees, but the cab commission predicts the ability to accept credit and debit card payments will boost driver revenue.
The credit card systems are part of the first phase of taxi improvements, along with animated lights atop cabs, D.C. Taxicab Commission chairman Ron Linton told the Post. Linton said taxis will also have “personal information monitors” by Dec. 1 with news, information for tourists and public service announcements in addition to “panic buttons” for a driver or passenger to call for help.