Strike, Two! NYC Taxi Drivers To Strike. Again.

Again, the New York Taxi Workers Alliance is planning to go on strike on Monday, October 22, to protest the (previously agreed-upon) installation of GPS units in their cabs. At this point, I have to say, enough. I don’t think this is a privacy issue, I don’t accept their argument that the choice of streets they drive is “proprietary.” I think the strike was ineffective the first time; in fact, it only hurts the ones who were least able to help them affect change: tourists. Drivers steered clear of the airports and transit hubs, like Penn Station or the Port Authority. The Alliance is not a union, and does not represent a majority of the drivers, so they are only impacting themselves. I do, however, support their right to strike, and I do applaud them, however well-intentioned, albeit mis-guided, for standing up for their beliefs, and for letting themselves get hit where it hurts: in their wallets.

The problem is that they agreed to the GPS installation when the fare increase was passed three years ago. The other problem is that I agree that the choice of system is bizarre. Why install GPS devices that only show the passenger where they are on a map of the city that they are probably unaware of? And, honestly, I don’t think I’ve ever had a driver try to go “the long way” to increase the fare. They want to turn over passengers quickly. There’s more money up front.

You may also be interested in:

NYC Taxis Vs. NYC TLC: “Gentlemen, prepare for another strike.” (09.27.07)

Taxis Strike In Paris, Too. In NYC, More Cabs, Soon. (09.27.07)

“Credit Or Debit?” Why Your Supermarket Wants You To Pay With A Debit Card. (09.04.07)

The Great NYC Taxi Strike of 2007? (08.27.07)

See a map of New York City.

Tags: GPS, Manhattan, Maps, New York City, News, NYC, Penn Station, Taxi, Transit, Transportation