High Tech Taxi Debate

The Taxi and Limousine Commission wants to roll out some more hi-tech accoutrements in city taxis, including news on the backseat screens (again!), credit card payment, and a wireless tracking system for lost belongings, not to mention monitors for drivers that could update them about traffic. However, many drivers aren't sure if they want the equipment, which the TLC is requiring for all 12,787 hacks, because it'll cost thousands of dollars. The coordinator for the NY Taxi Workers Alliance says the equipment is "Big Brother-esque," because there would be GPS tracking; the TLC says that the monitors will help drivers navigate the city better and offer better service to customers. And at today's hearing about the matter, Newsday reports that one 30-year taxi driving veteran, Kevin Fitzpatrick, was escorted out after exceeding his time to speak (he suggested the TLC would "spy on Muslim hacks").

Gothamist is surprised that the TLC is considering taxi TVs; we hope the new ones will be better than the stupid ones at last go around. But we're fans of just looking at the city go by in our rides, since many of our travels are underground.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Jen Chung in News on May 4, 2005 1:20 PM

Comments [rss]

Doctor Memory

Arrrrgh. NYC doesn't need "high-tech cabs", NYC needs more cabs. Lots more cabs. Take the number of plain old yellow cabs on the streets and triple, no, quintuple them. The insane prices of NYC livery are a direct and obvious result of the enforced scarcity of medallions. More cabs = cheaper cabs.

As Effrt noted, this is just a transparent attempt to justify another fare increase.

albert

It's about time that someone stuck up for the rights of those who have been subject to such abuse and discrimination by our government during our post-9/11 madness of childlike patriotism and the "war on terrorism."

Effrt

That first line should read: “The TLC wants to roll out some more hi-tech accoutrements in city taxis SO THEY CAN JACK UP THE PRICES AGAIN.” The pricing out of the middle class continues unabated in our fair city.

LS

big brother's gonna find you, and when he does, he's going to sell you something.

Meghan

Argh. I don't want to be watch a bunch of f-ing ad while I'm trying to enjoy the expensive cab that comes along once in a blue moon. The Rockette's telling me to buckle up, while loudly tap dancing in my ear was bad enough...How about we just concentrate on getting from Point A to Point B alive and in a timely fashion and just leave it at that, eh?

aron

Big brother? anything that keeps better track of these death machines is fine by me.

Taxis Suck.

toyochin

I miss Dennis Franz telling me to buckle my seatbelt. Those were good times.

claudia

NYC taxis don't need high tech improvements. The screens are clearly just more space for advertising.

We need low tech help. A little polishing. Like instructing drivers not to respond “you’re the boss” when I give them directions or to not ask me how many boyfriends I have.