TAXI DRIVERS STRIKING IN NEW YORK TODAY. Many of the 13,000 New York City cabbies are striking today over the city's proposal to place Passenger Information Monitors (PIMs) in all taxis. The screens would provide digital maps for passengers and allow them to pay with credit cards, which I must admit, sounds pretty attractive. But they also include GPS tracking devices and advertising. A central complaint from the cabbies is that while the city is requiring the devices, it isn't paying for them; each cab will have to install its own PIM. More accountability and regularity in cab fares is good -- many a confused tourist ends up paying too much, or unknowingly taking a far-from-direct route. But it should be the city's responsibility to provide the needed infrastructure. The Albany Project has a good rundown of the issues at stake. --Dana Goldstein
