Touch-screen taxi monitors OKd

The Taxi and Limousine Commission approved a plan to install touch-screen monitors in all 13,000 New York City cabs that will allow riders to pay by credit card, check on news stories, map out where the cab is going and find information about restaurants and bars.

The vote to require the new technology came over the objections of some drivers, who said it would be costly and would allow officials to check up on them.

But taxi officials supported the monitors, saying they could boost ridership by eliminating the need for cash. The monitors would also give drivers information about traffic and lost items, the officials said.