NYC Taxis of Tomorrow still to hit road
A New York judge’s decision to block Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s plan for a uniform fleet of van-like yellow cabs with sliding doors and skylight windows won’t stop them from cruising city streets.
While they may not be the only cabs allowed, as Bloomberg wants under his Taxi of Tomorrow initiative, Nissan Motor Co.’s vehicles costing almost $30,000 US will still be sold to individuals and fleet owners who choose to buy them.
Supreme Court Justice Shlomo Hagler ruled Oct. 8 that the city exceeded its authority in requiring that cab operators have no choice except to buy a remodelled taxi version of Nissan’s NV200 van.
Unless the Bloomberg administration can win an appeal before Dec. 31, when the mayor leaves office, the effort to standardize a fleet of 15,237 cabs with the Nissan-built vans will die. The cars are due to hit the streets Oct. 28.
“Aside from it being by far the safest taxicab ever designed, the NV200 has superior leg room, a panoramic roof and a host of other comforts and amenities,” said Taxi and Limousine Commission Chairman David Yassky.
The model sells for a top price of $29,700, fully equipped.