Taxi TV: Turn It Up or Turn It Off?In which we ask: Are you one of those people who idly watches the new in-cab programming? Or do you angrily poke at the screen until it mercifully blacks out?
This Week, Give Cab Drivers a Little CreditIf you’ve ridden in New York taxis for a long time, you’re probably already wary of the credit-card machines that have been installed in many of them. The ones that have been in cabs for a couple of years now never really worked, and not handing over cash just feels weird. The Post reveals today that cab drivers are also suspicious of the devices. In fact, many of them would do anything to prevent you from swiping. According to the tabloid, they’d rather just grab your cold, hard cash and will lie about broken machines or fake policies to make sure that’s how you pay. The Post doesn’t specifically explain why some drivers would rather have you pay them in cash, but the implication that most cabbies are cheats is pretty heavy throughout the piece. The problem is so bad that the head of the Taxi and Limousine Commission himself was once prevented from using a credit card by a deceitful cabbie. The cabbies’ union claims that the problem is the equipment, not the drivers. After the jump, some technical advice on what to do to avoid this problem.
party lines
Anderson Cooper, False Populist?Last night we cornered Anderson Cooper yet again at a gala at the Museum of Natural History. He was there for the CNN Heroes Awards ceremony. He told us that our lusty coverage of his mondo biceps was one of the only things he read about himself on the Internet this year (“I try not to read anything about myself,” he explained, and we didn’t ask why). Then we got to chatting about the subway. “I ride the subway every day actually,” he told us, explaining that it’s the fastest way to get around. “You get to interact with people from all different walks of life in a very short amount of time. So before they actually get annoying, you’re off the train.” Wow, that’s an excellent point, we realized. So what do people ask celebrity (and heir) Anderson Cooper when they see him? “Why are you on the subway?” he said. Wow. Anderson is such a man of the people. Except, wait a minute. We just spotted a post on his blog from yesterday. “So today has been one of those days. I ran out of my apartment after our morning call today and suddenly realized I’d forgotten both my keys and wallet,” he blogged from his BlackBerry. “I’m now in a taxi (I borrowed some cash) and am heading to the Museum of Natural History.” You have no money and you’re late, but you’re taking a taxi? That doesn’t sound like someone who believes in the power of the subway. —Amy Odell
Ready for an inspiring night [CNN]
Earlier: Iraq Trips Hamper Anderson’s Gym Schedule
Related: Anderson loves the subway, but why do you love New York?
the morning line
Three Punished for Deutsche Deaths
• More than a week after the Deutsch Bank blaze killed two firefighters, three FDNY honchos have been reassigned for failing to regularly inspect the building or come up with a plan to fight a fire there. [NYT]
