Rider University professor Biju Mathew, whose book, Taxi! Cabs and Capitalism in New York City, details the struggles faced by drivers in the city, said the GPS software has no navigational component. "The purpose is essentially that of tracking," he said. "The GPS unit is connected to the meter, which means that a driver is constantly under surveillance. Every single minute that he is logged on, he is being tracked -- where he is, how much he is making, the amount he is making in tips -- to the last penny."
The new system has four components -- a passenger information monitor in the back seat, a GPS unit connected to the meter, a driver information meter that will be used to deliver text messages to the driver, and a credit/debit card payment system.
The TLC website said the passenger information monitor would display a map showing the cab's location, and the driver information meter would deliver text messages to the driver when the vehicle is stopped, and would assist drivers in returning lost property as well as help avoid traffic congestion.
Image: Commuters attempt to hail a taxi during the 48-hour taxi strike in a New York.
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