a word, forgotten

Today, finally, it looks as if we’ll finally be able to tell what we’re paying for.

From the Washington Post, Washington DC cabs will be switching from zones to time and distance meters:

Fenty’s decision is the culmination of a decades-long dispute about the lack of meters in the city’s taxis. Critics say the zone system is confusing and lends itself to cheating, but cabdrivers, valuing their independence, have always objected to switching to meters…..

I understand merchant independence, but I don’t really like my cab fare being read from a slip of paper pulled out of a hat.