Well, that didn’t last long. While the D.C. Taxi Cab Commission hadn’t decided this morning whether it would authorize a $15 emergency charge on taxi rides in the city, Taxi Cab Commission chair Ron Linton announced this afternoon that the fee is now in effect.

The $15 added on to the regular metered fee will last for 24 hours—-ending tomorrow at noon—-unless it’s rescinded earlier. According to Linton’s announcement, the fee may be extended.

Drivers are required to have a placard announcing the fee in their window, and tell passengers that it’s in effect when they get in.

Of course, no one, cab driver or passenger, should be out in about an hour.

Photo by Darrow Montgomery