But some details from the design exercise would quite likely be popular with cab riders immediately.

Technology has hardly been the cab rider's constant friend.

Why do so many cab riders resist the seat belts?

THE higher risk wasn't merely because of the refusal of so many cab riders to buckle up.

"The Giuliani administration's whole initiative was to help with air quality and provide comfort to cab riders," Mr. Lynn said yesterday.

There are cab riders around who claim they've never heard a driver say thank you.

Complaints about inadequate air-conditioning are on the rise this summer and cab riders give the city's taxi fleet mixed reviews.

While both the mayor and speaker want to give homeowners a break, cab riders will not be as fortunate.

"It's about time, because usually, nobody in the back gets the air conditioning," said Mr. Jaffe, a frequent cab rider.

It was unfortunate, therefore, that the unseen cab rider had not waited a little longer.