"They have tremendous power to control safety" without looking at cab age, he said, citing commission regulations that require many annual inspections and allow for random inspections.

After the meeting, Lang told the commission that the drivers put tremendous work into keeping their cars washed, waxed, polished and safe.

He gestured to the driver who was waiting to take him home after the meeting, whose car will not be allowed to remain a cab after April if the rule isn't changed or an exemption granted.

"It's a beautiful cab, and it's going to have to be taken off the road soon."

Flat Response to Flat Rates

In March of last year, the commission divided Cambridge into four zones, each with a different set of flat rates for trips from hotels in the zone to Logan airport.

For many hotels near Harvard, which include the Charles Hotel and the Sheraton Commander, the rate is $23 during rush hour, 2:30 to 6:30 p.m., and $18 at other times.

These fairs include the costs of tolls and gratuity. Even at rush hour, the fare is a few dollars less than the average price with tip quoted in The Unofficial Guide to Harvard.

Besides the general loss of revenue, drivers complained that the flat rates were passed before a $1 increase in the cost of the tunnel that cabs take to the airport.

One driver, Abraham Lom, said he benefits from the flat rates and wants the zones redefined and a morning rush hour added.

Regardless of whether drivers benefit, hotel customers may not even be aware of the flat rate.

"It doesn't really make a lot of difference to [our patrons]" said Michael S. Struk, assistant front office manager of the Sheraton Commander on Garden Street. He said he quotes a range, not the flat rate, when his guests ask what a cab ride to Logan will cost.

If cost is that much of a concern, customers will take the U.S. Shuttle which, though it takes a little longer, costs $14, Struk said.

If the commission decides to revoke the flat rate, "our guests will probably not know," a Charles Hotel concierge said.

He said he tells guests they should be charged a flat rate, but has heard complaints that not all drivers are charging the flat fare.