the meter stops here

For those who live on the East Coast, or who have ever visited Washington, D.C., you’re probably familiar with their antiquated taxi system. If you want to travel in a taxi in D.C., your fare is figured based on a strange and often, maddening, zone system. Your fare is determined based upon the number of zones you cross.

As of last week, however, the zone system is out and the much more common meter system is in. D.C. taxi fares will be determined by the meter. The meter system is much more common and, for passengers such as myself, much less confusing.

Fun Fact: Taxis in ancient Rome also had a taximeter.