Towing fees are increasing in Arlington, though not by as much as the local towing industry wants.
The County Board voted 5-0 on Saturday to increase the initial towing fee for vehicles of less than 7,500 pounds from the current $135 to $160.
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Potential increases to towing fees and taxi rates are on the agenda as County Board members close out 2025.
Both matters will be considered at the Board meeting on Saturday, Dec. 13.
Members of the county government’s Transportation Commission agree it’s time for taxi drivers to get a pay raise.
The body on Nov. 20 unanimously supported a staff recommendation to raise fares. The proposal will be heard by County Board members on Dec. 13.
County Board members have set public hearings next month on increasing taxi fares, expanding a Green Valley Park and designating a home as a local historic district.
The Board also set a hearing on possible changes to the county’s residential parking program, adopted a meeting schedule for 2026, approved an office-to-residential conversion project in Courthouse and approved a contract for new pedestrian bridges in two parks.
The Arlington County Board is scheduled to take up numerous items this month, including the financial impact of new public safety contracts, a proposed office-to-residential conversion project and closing out the fiscal year 2025 budget.
Potentially the most controversial item on the agenda could come during the Tuesday, Nov. 18 recess meeting, when Board members decide whether to move forward with a working group to consider changes to Arlington’s 93-year-old governance structure.
After over four decades at Arlington Blue Top Cabs, the owner of Arlington’s second-largest taxicab company is planning to pass the baton.
John Massoud, who has been involved with the company since its founding in 1984, is seeking the Arlington County Board’s permission to sell to employees Wahid Raheem and Mindy Gaber.
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A 50-year-old man with multiple prior convictions has allegedly exposed himself again, to a child.
The alleged incident happened yesterday (Sunday) afternoon in Crystal City.
A bank in Crystal City was robbed Monday morning by a man who reportedly fled in a taxi.
The robbery happened around 11:30 a.m. at the Bank of America branch at 1425 S. Eads Street, across from Amazon’s HQ2.
Arlington County may drop an annual fee for taxi companies.
The county currently charges $150 for an annual cab certificate renewal. With 441 taxicabs currently operating in Arlington, the fee would generate about $66,000 in annual revenue for the county.
All six taxi companies authorized to operate in Arlington County are asking for rate increases.
The companies say this would help offset rising business costs — including fuel and insurance expenses — and keep them competitive with rideshare operators. Arlington, which regulates taxis (while rideshare drivers are regulated by the state) last raised rates in 2016, per a county report.
Editor’s Note: The following article first appeared in the ARLnow Press Club weekend newsletter. Thank you to Press Club members for helping to fund our in-depth local features.
The phone rings on a stormy afternoon in Halls Hill and 92-year-old Hartman Reed swivels in his chair to answer it.
The Arlington County Board is considering two changes to help alleviate challenges facing the local taxicab industry.
The Board will consider allowing taxi companies to charge customers a temporary $1 fee due to rising gas prices. At the same time, it will separately consider increasing the number of years a vehicle may be used as a taxi.