NYC taxis to get high-tech upgrade

New York -- The New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission has approved a high-tech overhaul for the thousands of yellow cabs in the city.

Medallion owners must get the new equipment in order to pass inspections between October and February, the New York Daily News reported.

Riders will be able to pay with credit or debit cards, and to follow the cabbie's route on a backseat touch screen. They also will be able to use text messaging to track items they leave in cabs.

Cab drivers are not happy about Thursday's vote. Medallion owners will be stuck with the cost of touch screens, which could be from $2,000 to $6,000. But the drivers will lose 50 cents to $2 from every fare paid with a credit card.

"All the taxi drivers will walk if we have to, to stop this," said Bill Lindauer, a member of the Taxi Workers Alliance.

Copyright 2007 by United Press International.