Update, 6:15 p.m.: The taxi surcharge will be rescinded tomorrow after intervention from Mayor Vince Gray, according to WTOP’s Mark Segraves. That was fast.

—

While Washingtonians are enjoying the Nationals’ upcoming playoff run, cab passengers could find their wallets a little lighter on game days. Cab trips for more than one passenger will cost $1 more per person before, during, and after playoff games—even for trips that don’t go to or from Nationals Park.

The extra $1-per-person charge will apply two hours before games start, and run until 4:00 a.m. the next day.

Taxi Cab Commission spokesman Neville Waters says the extra charge has two functions: ensuring that the city’s cab drivers don’t just swarm Nationals Park, and making trips more profitable for drivers who are stuck in stadium traffic.

“I’m not going to drive anywhere except for around the stadium,” Waters said, speaking hypothetically as a driver if the surcharge wasn’t in place.

Still, the charge makes it a little harder for lukewarm Nats fans to get excited about being charged more even if they don’t go to Nationals games.

Read the release from the commission below (complete with amusing typo):

DC Taxicab Commission Offers Plans for Major League Baseball Playoffs

Local Pubic Vehicle-for-Hire Industry Prepares to Serve Sold Out Crowds

(Washington, DC) – The DC Taxicab Commission outlined the public vehicle-for-hire industry service plans during the Washington Nationals home playoff games. Although, the specific days of the home playoff games are yet to be determined, the maximum number of possible games to be played in DC would be twelve. The Commission has authorized a city-wide additional charge for taxicabs on home playoff game days only.

The season-long rules regarding drop-offs and pick-ups will remain in effect and will be strictly enforced. Drop-offs are allowed on both sides of Van Street SE on the south side of M Street SE. Vehicles may exit through the public alley to return to South Capitol Street. No taxicabs are allowed to stop on South Capitol Street.

Pick-ups are restricted to the designated taxi stands which are manned by starters, who will facilitate shared riding. The line will form on the north side of the unit block of M Street SE stretching east. No taxicabs are allowed to pick-up on the south side of M Street SE, Half Street SE, or Potomac Avenue SE. Signs will be posted to indicate the legally-designated drop-off and pick-up areas.

Arrangements for limousine services are as follows: drop-offs and pick-ups will be allowed at the Stadium Entrance on Potomac Avenue, SE between Half Street, SE and South Capitol Street; limousines will be required to wait to be summoned by passengers either west of South Capitol Street or north of M Street, SE, in legally designated parking areas. Cruising by limousines will not be allowed.

DC taxicabs will be allowed an additional charge of $1.00 for each additional passenger after the first passenger during the Nats home playoff game days only. This additional charge will be in effect throughout the city only on game days starting two hours prior to the game time until 4:00 am.

“The expected crowds attending the Nats’ playoff games will create a significant demand on the DC public vehicle-for-hire industry,” Chairman Ron M. Linton said. “We expect multiple riders to be using taxi services. The additional fare provides a fair compensation to drivers. It will also offer an incentive to deal with the increased congestion around the ballpark that could otherwise depress service, as well as assure service in other parts of the city.”

The first Washington Nationals home playoff game for which this charge will apply will be determined once the Major League Baseball Playoff Schedule is announced.

###

Photo by Darrow Montgomery