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Gotham City's 40,000 cab drivers are making good on their threat to strike if the city moves forward with its plans to install GPS tracking systems in 13,000 taxis. As of 5 a.m. this morning, the New York Taxi Workers Alliance has officially launched a 48-hour strike against the TLC (Taxi & Limousine Commission).
It remains to be seen how severe the impact will be, but the TWA is reporting that less than 10% of taxis have shown up for work today. According to the executive director of the TWA, "if you can't see the difference than either you're blind or you're a tourist." Nice.
The TLC says the GPS will help passengers and drivers alike, displaying their route in real-time on the map, and riders to pay with a credit card. Drivers are less convinced about the benefits of GPS, and fear it will be used to monitor there whereabouts and violate their privacy rights. They also say the credit card processing takes a portion of the cab fare, resulting in less revenue for drivers.

The cabbies also have complained that the GPS and LCD display system mounted in the rear of the driver's seat gets hot, creating an uncomfortable situation that violates basic labor laws. In response, New York City Mayor (Iron) Mike Bloomberg says he's not worried, and only expects a few drivers, if any, to actually strike. Moreover, the Mayor points out that the previously brokered agreement granted the NY cabbies two fare increases in exchange for allowing the GPS technology in their taxis.
Have you noticed any difference in taxi saturation in the Big Apple today? Leave us a comment and let us know.