In November 2004, the County Council approved the Executive’s proposed changes to the County Code affecting taxi operation in the County as Bill 14-4.

Taxicabs in Montgomery County

Comfortable, Easy, Safe

THE ANSWER TO YOUR DILEMMA?
CALL A TAXICAB!

COMFORTABLE

Taxicabs provide fast, clean, dependable, curb to curb, personalized transportation service operated by professional, trained drivers. Taxicabs in Montgomery County are regulated by the Department of Public Works and Transportation and operate under established standards. DPW&T cares about your safety and comfort.

EASY

Taxicabs provide service all day, everyday and it is easy to get a taxicab. You can:

• Hail a taxicab.
• Go to a taxicab stand, such as the stands at most Metrorail stations, and take the first taxicab in line.
• Call a taxicab company and request to be picked up. Requests may be made 24 hours a day, seven days a week at any of the following fleets.

SAFE

Taxicabs are a safe way to travel. All County taxicab vehicles must be licensed by the Montgomery County Department of Public Works and Transportation. Vehicles must meet stringent requirements. They must be late model cars, carry adequate insurance, pass two mechanical inspections a year, be clean and in good cosmetic condition.

Taxicab drivers must also be licensed by the County. To get a license they must pass a test, complete both Maryland and Federal Bureau of Investigation criminal background clearances, and have good driving records.

Taxicab Companies and Drivers

Taxicab companies can be identified by their unique colors. The vehicles are owned by either the company or by an individual license holder who affiliates the taxicab with the company. In the future, taxicabs will be marked identifying the owner and the operating company of the vehicle.

The majority of taxicab drivers rent the vehicles from a fleet, while others are owner/ operators who pay a fee to affiliate with a fleet. Drivers who rent their taxicabs pay a daily lease fee. All drivers pay for their own gas, oil, car washes and other expenses. Drivers earn their income from the fares paid by passengers less the expenses of operating the vehicle. It is for this reason that their incomes very much depend on tips. If you receive good service, please tip accordingly. Still, a tip is not mandatory.

Ride Sharing

Taxicabs are an economical way to transport a small group of riders. The cost is the meter rate plus the additional person charge for all other riders. Taxicabs can carry up to four passengers, so you can save if you share rides.

Cost

The rates for taxicab services are regulated and posted in all taxicabs. It's easy to determine the cost of your ride since all taxicabs have meters and drivers must use the meters at all times. Rates and additional charges are posted on the side window of every taxicab. All licensed Montgomery County taxicabs charge the same rate. You don't need to shop around for a different price.

Meter Rates

The meter starts when the taxicab is pulling away from the curb and ends when the taxicab comes to a complete stop at the final destination. The meter charges are:

• Initial charge - The cost for engaging a taxicab. This amount appears when the meter is turned on.
• Distance Charge - The cost for each fraction of a mile traveled
• Waiting Time and Traffic Delay Time - Waiting time begins five minutes after the time the taxicab is called for or when the taxicab is stopped, or has slowed to a speed of less than 11 miles per hour. Waiting time may not be charged for the extra time it may take to assist a disabled passenger.
• Additional Passengers - The charge for more than one passenger in the same party. There is no charge for children under five years of age when accompanied by an adult or for a personal care attendant accompanying a disabled person.
• Personal Service - Personal service is the charge for service provided by the driver at your request, such as loading suitcases, parcels, or personal effects.
• Pick up and Delivery - Charge for pickup and delivery service.
• Snow Emergency - This rate is charged in the event a snow emergency is declared in Montgomery County. It does not apply to interstate trips.

Current Rates
The current rates in effect is available here

Taxicab RIDE ON Home

Taxicabs have joined forces with the RIDE ON transit buses to offer the Taxicab RIDE ON Home program. When traveling on a RIDE ON bus you may ask the driver to call a taxicab to meet you at your final destination. Passengers are responsible for paying the taxicab fare.

Information Pack

Every taxicab has an information poster displayed behind the driver's seat. The poster gives the name and telephone number of the taxicab company, and the taxicab number. Every licensed taxicab has its own number.

Taxicab Vans

These are larger vehicles that are modified to provide service to the disabled. They are available for ambulatory passengers when they are not needed for accessible trips. So if you go to a taxicab stand and a van is first in line, you are welcome to use it. If you call for a taxicab and are unable to use a van, notify the dispatcher that you need a sedan.

Services for the Disabled

Wheelchair Accessible
Taxicab Service

Montgomery County issues licenses for wheelchair accessible vehicles that meet Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements. There is no additional charge for an accessible taxicab. However, you should request accessible taxicabs in advance.

Service for Passengers with
Vision Disabilities

For passengers with vision problems, the information pack behind the driver's seat is printed in large type. There is also a Braille ID label attached to the upper right portion of the information pack.

Service for Passengers with Verbal Communication Disabilities

If you have trouble with verbal communication you may give the driver the destination in writing. For TDD questions call 240-777-5869.

Taxicab Etiquette

Driver Responsibilities

Drivers should provide professional and courteous service. They must take the most direct route to the customer's destination, charge metered rates, accept any passenger unless the taxicab is engaged or off duty, and give a receipt when requested.

Customer Responsibilities

You should wait at the curb or be prepared to come out to the taxicab immediately upon its arrival, pay the fare, and enter and exit the vehicle away from the traffic lane. You should cancel reservations if the taxicab is not needed. It is suggested that passengers request receipts so they have a record of the trip.

Rush Hour, Weather, and Traffic Problems

Many vehicles including taxicabs, may be delayed during rush hour, inclement weather, periods of high demand, or traffic incidents. Please allow additional time.

Sedans, Vans, & Limousines

These vehicles are not regulated by the County. For your safety, be sure the company and each vehicle is authorized by either the Maryland Public Service Commission or by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Commission. Authorized vehicles must charge rates they file with the agency. For inquiries and complaints:

Call the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Commission at 
(202) 331-1671
For trips to or from Northern Virginia, Washington, D.C., or Prince George's County.

Call the Maryland Public Service Commission at (410) 767-8128
For trips between Montgomery County and other locations in Maryland.

Having a
Problem with Taxicab Service?

We hope you're happy with the service. When you're dissatisfied, call the company and report the problem along with the taxicab number as soon as possible after the incident, to insure a prompt resolution.

If you're still not satisfied, let us know. All complaints must be filed in writing. Complaints should include the taxicab number, the company name, the trip date and time, and a description of the problem. The taxicab number can be found on both sides of the vehicle, on the trunk, and on the information pack inside the vehicle. You can submit a complaint by one of the following methods:

1. On-line - go to www.montgomerycountymd.gov/taxihotline and fill out the complaint form.
2. E-mail - send an e-mail with specifics of problem to transit.dpwt@montgomerycountymd.gov.
3. US Mail - send letter with specifics of problem to:

   Montgomery County
   Division of Transit Services
   Taxicab Office
   101 Monroe Street, 5th Floor
   Rockville, MD 20850

Have a Compliment?

Compliments are very important to us and we appreciate hearing about your good experiences. Let us know about good service, special acts of kindness, and heroic deeds, so that we can recognize the drivers and the companies for a job well done.

Let a licensed Montgomery County taxicab take you where you want to go, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year!

Questions? Call us at 240-777-CABS (2227)

TDD 240-777-5869.

TAXICAB DRIVERS LICENSING

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