InTheCapital

By Charlie Warzel / @cwarzel

We’re admittedly a day or so behind on this, but given all the attention we’ve given to the Uber-DC cab saga, we feel like it’s only right we bring to light the findings of DC councilwoman, Mary Cheh’s DC Cab satisfaction survey. Spoiler Alert: the results are dismal…at best.

After surveying 4025 people, the results were overwhelmingly negative toward DC cabs. 36% of respondents said service was poor and only 22% felt the service was respectable. 

Hmmm…I wonder why they’re losing customers to Uber?

94% of residents were in favor of legislation that would improve service in the District and parts of Maryland and Virginia. If I were the DC cab commission, I’d be paying close attention to this survey.

DCist had this choice quote from a survey participant about cab service:

“It is incredibly frustrating when I am in DC and need to take a cab to Virginia (Arlington, specifically). I was once turned down by five cabs in a row because they prefer getting no fare from a paying customer rather than just a one-way fare since they can’t pick up in Virginia. Cabs should not be allowed to refuse a fare!”

We never want to appear that we’re ranting here at InTheCapital, but these results have to be a wake up call for the cab commission. At the end of the day the cab commission is running a business. Like any business, customer satisfaction has to be taken into account. With the arrival of Uber (who will probably win their battle with DC—as they DO operate legally in the District), there will be competition for service in the city.

As a website that celebrates innovation, we find it deplorable that the cab commission feels no need to provide a quality product to their customers. The absence of credit card machines and drivers who know the geography of the city is unacceptable for a service in a city as large and well-known as Washington DC. Adapt or die. As cliche as that might sound, it is a critical component of running a business. The DC cab commission has no right to a monopoly of service in the District and their ire toward a service like Uber is disgraceful given their refusal to innovate and provide the best possible service to their customer. We understand that such change can be difficult and adapting to new competition can be daunting for an established company, but that’s business…plain and simple…you have to earn success. Don’t expect it just because you’ve been around longer.

See the full results below.

Taxi Survey Results FINAL