Swain out at D.C. Taxicab Commission

Mayor Vincent C. Gray has decided not to reappoint Leon J. Swain Jr. as chairman of the D.C. Taxicab Commission, his office said Wednesday.

Mr. Gray named the commission’s general counsel, Dena Reed, as interim chair while he searches for Mr. Swain’s permanent replacement.

City Administrator Allen Y. Lew informed Mr. Swain of the mayor’s decision at the close of business on Tuesday.

Mr. Swain became chairman of the commission in June 2007. During his tenure, he oversaw the switch from an outdated fare-zone system to one based on travel time and distance. He was widely hailed for working with federal investigators, after authorities say 39 taxicab drivers tried to bribe him in exchange for taxicab licenses and licenses to operate multivehicle taxicab companies.

Ms. Reed has served as general counsel for the last year and a half, instituting “a complete overhaul of the agency’s rules and regulations with the goal of bringing an outdated system up to modern standards.”

Prior to joining the commission, Ms. Reed spent more than 20 years with the D.C. Office of the Attorney General.

The taxicab commission is responsible for establishing criteria, standards and requirements for licensing taxicab drivers and for licensing cab owners and companies.

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