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New York Taxi Drivers To Strike Over GPS
Stony Stevenson notes a NYTimes story on labor unrest caused by high-tech privacy concerns. One organization of taxi drivers plans a 48-hour strike, while another opposes any such action. "One taxi group plans to strike from 5 a.m. Sept. 5, through 5 a.m. Sept. 7, in opposition to New York City's requirement that all cabs be equipped with GPS technology beginning Oct. 1... saying GPS infringes on drivers' privacy... The Taxi and Limousine Commission passed a rule stating that all New York City cabs must have touch-screen display panels, credit card readers, and GPS beginning this year. Many taxis already are equipped with the technologies, which allow passengers to get news, route data, and other information. The TLC claims that the technology will not be used to invade drivers' privacy but will provide real-time maps and help passengers recover lost property."
except that they make more picking up new fares because of the initial per ride fee
meep
I live in NYC and take a cab ride just about every day. I still get excited when I find a cab with this new technology suite. After all, San Fran has a much nicer, modern "subway" system, Hong Kong has that great train with video screens, and I'm sure other cities have new stuff to brag about with their transportation infrastructure. What do we have in NYC? Checked out our subways recently?
The cool thing is that these vehicles are still the famous "yellow" taxi cabs of NYC lore, but:
1. You can watch a real time, zoomable map of NYC to see where you are and estimate how much further you have to go. Any idea how great this is for tourists or people new to town? (Was very helpful showing in-laws the route from airport to home in real time and pointing out important locations...)
2. You can watch news which is great if stuck in FDR traffic.
3. You can see how much you owe and why.
4. Legal information / passenger rights / terms and conditions are presented much more efficiently and tidily. That is, it cleans up the cab from all of that paperwork.
I fully support the new cabs and hope that they will improve them with real time traffic volume on the maps, etc.
If you RTFA, you'll see that they aren't actually been watched by a company but by the government (who will watch all taxi drivers in the city). Specifically, they are being watched by the Taxi and Limousine Commission, the watchdog who license taxis and ensure they don't defraud/mug/&c customers. Not that I have a problem with that if they only do it when they have passengers and the passengers can turn it off (as the article states they will be able to).
Joe Llywelyn Griffith Blakesley
[This post is in the public domain (copyright-free) unless otherwise stated]
Simple solution: pay in CASH.
"Has this ever happened to anybody here (while in their home country)?"
Two words:
Vegas.
Tunnel.
As a taxi driver (Rockhampton, Australia) that is precisely what I do. If I stuff up, then I take them to where they are going (within reason) for the price at the time of the mistake.
Semi-automatic amateur armchair Australian philosopher; conjecture ready at any moment...