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In a stunning reversal, a group representing thousands of the city’s taxi drivers threw its support behind legislation that would allow livery cabs to pick up street hails despite its intention to attend a protest of the plan Monday.

The Taxi and Limousine Commission said the age-old problem of drivers rejecting rides to various destinations is getting worse. The city is seeking to seriously stiffen fines for cabbies who refuse outer borough destinations after passenger complaints about trip refusals skyrocketed 38 percent.