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Cabbies Cruise Into the Future
February 20th, 2008

In a few years, New Yorkers may not hail down, whistle or even curse at a yellow cab careening down Broadway — that image we have all come to know so well.

Those vehicles may look starkly different, according to a new proposal by the city’s Taxi and Limousine Commission.

This morning the commission released a request for information, calling on companies to come up with a plan to take taxis physically, aesthetically and environmentally into the future. They call it the “Taxi of Tomorrow” — how fitting and who can’t help but honk enthusiastically at their slick use of alliteration?

Of course, any makeover the vehicles get will have to incorporate the NYC taxi iconic presence, and they must be readily identifiable. Though how much they will resemble the taxis of late, we can’t be sure yet.

The call goes farther than Bloomberg’s plan announced last year to create an all-hybrid fleet and the administration’s effort to make all cabs credit card-ready (of which, according to the commission, about 70 percent have been and the rest should be swipe-friendly by mid-year).

The request calls for companies to come forward and meet the following crieteria:

  • Meets highest safety standards
  • Superior passenger experience
  • Superior driver comfort and amenities
  • Appropriate purchase price and ongoing maintenance and repair costs
  • Smaller environmental footprint (lower emissions and improved fuel economy)
  • Smaller physical footprint (with more usable interior room)
  • Compliance with appropriate Americans with Disabilities Act requirements
  • Iconic design that will identify the new taxi with New York City
  • If it were up to you, how would you like to see our cabs cruise around town?

    By Courtney Gross on February 20, 2008, 1:44 pm
    In category: Gotham City
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    2 Responses to “Cabbies Cruise Into the Future”

    1. mark Says:
      February 20th, 2008 at 4:04 pm

      yea i have heard about his on http://www.yellowcabnyc.com

    2. New York Around the Web: Saturday, Feb 29 Says:
      March 1st, 2008 at 6:53 pm

      […] An all hybrid, credit card-swiping fleet isn’t enough.  The city’s Taxi and Limousine Commission is looking for the “Taxi of Tomorrow.”  Gotham Gazette […]

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