A 2011 survey of 22,000 taxi riders found that the screens were among the top passenger complaints, second only to high fare costs.
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Taxi TVs are one step closer to being shot into the sun where they belong, following a vote by the Taxi and Limousine Commission on Thursday that approved a pilot program to replace the screens in a few cabs.
The TLC has said that drivers and riders have complained that the screens are noisy, content repetitive and often the “mute” and “off” buttons don’t work. The pilot program is expected to run for about a year.
The TLC’s aim is to modernize a system that has been in place since 2008, and potentially replace electronic meters with more efficient and less costly GPS systems.
The program will remove the backseat TV screens from 1,000 vehicles in the fleet. That’s why it wants to test out a new high-tech smartphone or tablet system that would allow riders to pay without having to listen or watch Taxi TV.
After the TLC published its pilot plan earlier this week, it got a lot of concerns from the disabled community, who were anxious that the new technology wouldn’t be accessible to the blind, said commissioner Meera Joshi. In addition, they say, the mind-numbing tape-loop programming isn’t all their fault. “We’re actually thrilled [the TLC] is taking a more expansive approach”. Since 2006, brands have been reaching consumers as they bustle around the city through TVs in the back of cabs.
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During the year-long trial, the TLC will test out various systems to ensure accuracy of the new GPS meters, as well is if they will be able to operate in dead zones.
