In response to Chessia Kelley’s article, A new place to advertise: NYC taxicab touchscreens, I thought I would bring attention to the less friendly nature of the NYC taxi touchscreens, including two-way GPS that would allow dispatch to spy on each and every move the cabbies on New York make.
“The New York Taxi Workers Alliance, an advocacy group, has compared the system to ankle bracelets worn by prisoners restricted company might dig into; our local government might have put our Social Security number and other personal information online.” Via Wall Street Journal
That and the added expense. Cabbies I have spoken to think it is a shakedown — an attempt to corporatize NY cabs even further, getting rid of the small-business owners.
So what are the costs? How about some specific information. I cannot believe the taxi drivers actually feel this way. Nary an over-the-road truck in the USA goes without GPS tracking, the USAF uses the technology for many of its vehicles too. It is simply a management tool. In an age of $100 per barrel oil, it is not reasonable to think efficiencies are going to be sought.