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Say what? Taxis that 'won't smell'

Jon Skillings Editorial director
Jon Skillings is an editorial director at CNET, where he's worked since 2000. A born browser of dictionaries, he honed his language skills as a US Army linguist (Polish and German) before diving into editing for tech publications -- including at PC Week and the IDG News Service -- back when the web was just getting under way, and even a little before. For CNET, he's written on topics from GPS, AI and 5G to James Bond, aircraft, astronauts, brass instruments and music streaming services.
Expertise AI, tech, language, grammar, writing, editing Credentials
  • 30 years experience at tech and consumer publications, print and online. Five years in the US Army as a translator (German and Polish).
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Jon Skillings

A ride in a big-city taxicab is always an adventure--for instance, making a last-minute left turn from the far-right lane of Manhattan's Fifth Ave. at rush hour.

It can be an overwhelming olfactory experience as well.

"I don't mean to get gross, but many cab drivers we interviewed have told us that on Friday or Saturday nights people really have thrown up in their taxis," said Marc Klein, president of the vehicle production group for Standard Taxi. That company is one of several participants in the Taxi 07 exhibit of new designs, taking place in conjunction with the New York International Auto Show. One feature the company hopes will appeal to medallion holders is an easy-to-maintain interior.

" They can just hose it down, keep the taxi clean, and it won't smell," Klein said.

For more, see "Photos: Rethinking New York City's taxis.