Top Stories

CBS 2's Andrew Kirtzman and Magee Hickey contributed to this report.
NEW YORK (CBS) ― A massive taxi strike in New York City is just hours away and rival taxi unions waged war for the hearts and minds of city cab drivers around the city today. With the deadline for the seemingly imminent strike approaching, Mayor Michael Bloomberg took no chances and issued a contingency plan for the thousands of commuters who could be impacted.

Outside Grand Central Station on Tuesday, there were leaflets urging cab drivers to strike, with other leaflets urging them not to strike just steps away.

At issue is a GPS tracking device that can track each cab's comings and goings. The city has ordered them installed in all 13,000 cabs by January. Also at issue are credit card machines which drivers say cut into their profits due to a processing fee.

Anti-strike leader Fernando Mateo said threats against the members of his union, the New York Federation Of Taxi Driver, have multiplied in recent days.

"Our volunteers at La Guardia and John F. Kennedy [airports] were assaulted by one of the radicals from this group that wants a strike," Mateo said during a news conference.

In response, the NYPD announced it will step up patrols tomorrow at major hubs like Grand Central and Pennsylvania Station.

"Beginning at 4 a.m. tomorrow, the New York City Police Department will assign extra police officers, including plainclothes officers in taxis on patrol, to Grand Central, Penn Station, and other transportation hubs, as well to taxi garages," said Police Commissioner Ray Kelly. "We are taking these steps to ensure the public safety and to guard against reprisals against cabbies who elect to drive during the planned strike."

The New York Taxi Worker's Alliance has been pushing for the strike and fired back at those urging them not to stop working. They say the GPS and credit card machines will cost drivers precious revenue and strip them of their privacy. The union represents more than 7,000 cab drivers or more than one-third of the 20,000 active cabbies out there. The union is threatening to have its drivers walk off the job over the installation of the new devices.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg has refused to back down from the GPS plan and downplayed any sort of threat. "Our expectation is there will be very few, if any taxi drivers striking tomorrow and the next day," he said.

Still, the city's contingency plan is set to begin come midnight. Officials have created fare plans that encourage riders to share cabs at special set rates for group rides from the airports.

"The contingency plan we have created will ensure that New Yorkers, as well as visitors to our City, are able to travel without serious disruptions," said Office of Emergency Management Commissioner Joseph Bruno.

Trips to/from Manhattan and John F. Kennedy Airport will be a $30 flat fare per person, while trips to/from Manhattan and La Guardia would be $20 per person. Zone charges would dictate fares for trips to/from airports and boroughs other than Manhattan. The City also reserves the right to allow livery hails if the TLC determines that it is necessary after evaluating the situation. Subsequent public announcements about plans will be made by the TLC.

For the entire contingency plan, click here.

Drivers are being forced to choose sides, but the only thing that's clear is that New Yorkers seem baffled.

"Think about it guys -- think about it before you do it, because it may not go over well with the public," one city resident warned.

But many have already made up their minds and are prepared to stay home. "GPS has become instruments of oppression to us, and we're ready to strike," said driver Victor Salazar.

Bloomberg asked drivers to think twice before choosing to strike. "We've provided taxi drivers with two significant fare increases in return for customer service improvements. Our administration has the utmost respect for drivers and we've treated them fairly. Now, we're asking for the same," he said.

(© MMVII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)