The Taxi and Limousine Commission voted today in favor of a pilot program allowing passengers to share rides with strangers headed in the same direction and split the cost.

The TLC says it's a win-win situation, with cab drivers making more money while customers save.

"We're excited about the concept," said Matthew Daus of the TLC. "The devil's in the details of course. We're going through a lot of those details today. It's good for the environment and in these economic times, what's wrong with the passengers paying less and the drivers earning more?"

LED signs would let people know which cabs are available for sharing, and display the first passenger's destination. The destination will change once the first person exits the cab.

Several companies are said to be working on technology to keep track of each person's fare, and allow them to pay separately.

Some passengers say it's a good plan for this economy, but others say they are not sure it will work.

"It's done a lot elsewhere," said one rider. "It would be a novel experience for New Yorkers, maybe it will remake the New York personality."

"I like it very much," agreed another. "In this time of scarce resources, be they dollars or fuel oil or gasoline, it's a practical solution."

"For some other cab drivers it might be to their benefit, but for me, I really don't like it," said one taxi cab driver.

At least two people and at most four people could share the cab between the hours of 6 a.m. and 10 a.m.

"I take a taxi when I have to," said a passenger. "But I think I would prefer to sit by myself."

"I like to ride alone," concurred a second New Yorker.

The TLC hopes the plan will also reduce wait times during rush hour without putting more cars on the road and clogging up the already congested streets. However, the Taxi Workers Alliance released a statement saying it is worried the program will actually take drivers off the road.

"We have reservations about it given for every one cab with three group ride shares would mean two cabs that remain empty," said TWA spokeswoman Bhairavi Desai. "Business is slow enough without drivers undercutting each other. Also, we don't think most passengers will feel comfortable with it as an everyday practice. For that, they could take the bus."

In addition to the taxi sharing, the three-part program proposed will also include a group ride-sharing plan that targets transit hubs and common destinations in Midtown. For example, a designated cab would leave Grand Central and drop passengers off along the way to 59th Street.

The third proposal would set up pickup points for livery cabs in the outer boroughs to make up for the lack of yellow cabs that are currently available in those neighborhoods.

The pilot project will begin this fall.