The TLC didnt just wake up one day and say, “Hey, I bet the cab drivers would like a fare hike…what do you think?” No, instead the cabbies and unions petitioned (for lack of a better term) the TLC to consider the fare hikes. That opened the whole can of worms.

So at the time that they were lobbying for the fare hikes was the time to lobby to have the GPS idea removed. It’s a little too late now.

Just think how nuts they are going to be when they have to start buying all hybrid cabs! Once the Crown Vics start getting retired in large numbers, they will complain about that too.

However, a fair compromise would be to require that all NEW cabs have the GPS system. That way old cabs dont have to install it only to have to install it again on a new cab in 6 months or a year.

1) Passengers can see their route. They’ll be able to see the “path” of where they got in to where they get out. This will keep dishonest cabbies from taking advantage of tourists. If you can see that the cab is clearly going out of it’s way, you can’t be taken advantage of. I tourist may not know where they’re going, but they can certainly tell if they are going in a circles.

2) This is just the first phase of technology. Once the systems are on board, the software / firmware can be updated to allow more advanced features.

3) So what if cabbies are being watched? It’s not their personal vehicle. And they dont have the “right” to be a cab driver, they have the privilege of having a medalion.

4) Just like any retail outlet, the cabs could have an old fashioned carbon sheet credit card form for when the machines break down. They can take an impression of the card and turn it in later.

I would be concerned about the privacy issue as well if I was a driver. What is the point for a GPS that does not offer directions? Who is to say it won’t be used to track drivers when they are on breaks or off the job?

The other major concern would be the loss of funds when credit cards are used. The last major concern is the issue of lost fares if the GPS goes down.

IMO these issues are important enough to justify their complaints. Did the city inform drivers about the lack of capabilities these units would have when an agreement was reached ?

http://www.gothamgazette.com/article/transportation/20040224/16/889

Notice the part where it says:

“…a fare hike, broadly supported by taxi owners and drivers, has won editorial endorsement in the city’s papers and apparently some combination of acceptance and support from taxi riders.”

Also note that the article was published in February 2004! So the cabbies have had allllllll this time to get used to the new regulation.

Also, here’s a TLC Press release from January 28, 2004. http://www.nyc.gov/html/tlc/html/news/press04_01.shtml

It clearly states the new technology requirements. If they didnt want to comply, they should have fought it then. Of course, they didn’t because they wanted the pay raise.