There were several instructive lessons learned from the Dec. 9 Chicago taxicab strike. The lower volume of downtown traffic and congestion, reduced noise (from less horn-blasting) and reduced pollution from several thousand fewer vehicles on the street were most noticeable. The city became a safer and quieter place to breathe and enjoy fresh air on a weekday, just like on weekends.
Perhaps Chicago can take a lesson from Seattle, where central-city public bus transportation is free. The use of free downtown public transportation has resulted in fewer cabs clogging Seattle streets, a quieter city and lower levels of pollution.
As far as I–and most likely the majority of Chicagoans who want to breathe fresh air in a safer, less congested and quieter city–am concerned, the cab strike could have gone on forever.
