Re road-pricing - NY cabbies protest GPS "spy in the cab"
Discussion
7 September, NY taxi strike over 'spy in cab'.
New Yorkers are facing the second day of a 48-hour strike by taxi drivers protesting over the introduction of new technology in their cabs.
Authorities want new credit card systems and satellite tracking, which they say will help with lost luggage.
Some drivers say the devices could be used to track their movements.
The city has about 44,000 licensed drivers and 13,000 registered yellow cabs.
At inspections from 1 October, the cabs are required to have GPS satellite tracking systems and video screens to allow passengers to see their location, plus credit card payment facilities.
The City Taxi & Limousine Commission said the credit card system could create bigger fares and the GPS would help with lost luggage.
Strike organisers, the New York Taxi Workers Alliance, fear the GPS will spy on drivers, whom it says will also have to pay credit card transaction fees.
The alliance's leader, Bhairavi Desai, told AFP news agency: "Taxi drivers sometimes use the cars in their private time. Why should they tell the [commission] where they are going on a Sunday with their family? This is an invasion of privacy."
Streaky
New Yorkers are facing the second day of a 48-hour strike by taxi drivers protesting over the introduction of new technology in their cabs.
Authorities want new credit card systems and satellite tracking, which they say will help with lost luggage.
Some drivers say the devices could be used to track their movements.
The city has about 44,000 licensed drivers and 13,000 registered yellow cabs.
At inspections from 1 October, the cabs are required to have GPS satellite tracking systems and video screens to allow passengers to see their location, plus credit card payment facilities.
The City Taxi & Limousine Commission said the credit card system could create bigger fares and the GPS would help with lost luggage.
Strike organisers, the New York Taxi Workers Alliance, fear the GPS will spy on drivers, whom it says will also have to pay credit card transaction fees.
The alliance's leader, Bhairavi Desai, told AFP news agency: "Taxi drivers sometimes use the cars in their private time. Why should they tell the [commission] where they are going on a Sunday with their family? This is an invasion of privacy."
Streaky
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