WASHINGTON, D.C. (WUSA)-- On the day D.C. Mayor Vincent Gray unveiled new smart meters in the District's taxis, Ward 8 Councilmember Marion Barry is answering to frustrations from the mayor that are aimed at Barry.
The new meters would allow passengers to, among other things, pay with a credit card.
Barry has exercised his right to file a resolution of disapproval on the plan because he wants a judge to take a closer look at the contract for the smart meters that was awarded to an out of town company called Verifone.
By filing the resolution, Barry is prohibiting the District from paying for the smart meter equipment as was originally planned. Instead the cab drivers will have to pay more than $400 to have the equipment installed.
Mayor Gray said, "Why anybody would want to stop this is absolutely beyond me."
Barry insists he is in favor of modernizing the cab industry, but wants to make sure most if not all the money behind the move is staying here in the District.
When asked why he was implementing the hold, he said, "Because the law allows it. I'm just clever enough, and smart enough to know how to use the law. That is all."