Although New York City recently mandated that all taxi cabs must average 25 mpg by 2012, it looks as though the city might have to back pedal on its ruling. The plan was penned in ordered to lessen the environmental impact of New York City’s 13,000 taxis, but the New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission apparently forgot to concern itself with passenger safety.
While the plan seems like a good way to turn NYC’s yellow taxis green, the TLC overlooked what kind of vehicles were need to meet the mandate – small cars and hybrids.
Many automakers – such as Honda, Toyota and Ford – have refused to certify the crash-worthiness of their vehicles for taxi use, due to the fact that New York law requires the use of partitions in taxi cabs. New York’s former favorite taxi cab – the Ford Crown Victoria – had a stretched wheelbase which allowed for plenty of space between rear-seat occupants and the mandatory partition. But since the advent of vehicles like the Toyota Prius and Honda Civic Hybrid for taxi duty, there simply isn’t enough rear passenger space to guarantee the safety of passengers with the required partition.
Even the larger Ford Escape Hybrid isn’t immune to taxi safety concerns, with a Ford spokesman admitting that “there is an increased risk for belted occupants to contact the partition in a collision.”
But the trouble doesn’t end there. Automakers are also warning that hybrids were never designed for “heavy commercial use.” It’s no secret that taxis aren’t the best cared for vehicles on the road, so it still remains to be seen how they will hold up in the long term.
The New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission has yet to respond to the safety and longevity concerns, but does list several hybrid vehicles on its approved vehicle list for taxi use.
10/09, 6:31 PM
posted by:
Rafa LL
This probably has some people thinking.
10/09, 7:10 PM
posted by:
DrFill
NYC is my hood.
You see, and will see, plenty of Hybrids
But they aren’t a cure all
There is NO PERFECT CAR for The Big Apple
You have to sacrifice sumpin
DrFill
10/09, 7:21 PM
posted by:
josh
Typical American way of thinking… I have an idea, great I cant think of anything better than that, lets put it into action, ****! how did we get it wrong…we’re never wrong.
Well done America… Keep the sterotype alive and kicking!
10/09, 7:40 PM
posted by:
t-ak-box
“there simply isn’t enough rear passenger space to guarantee the safety of passengers with the required partition.”
“It’s no secret that taxis aren’t the best cared for vehicles on the road, so it still remains to be seen how they will hold up in the long term.”
Wait A minute.
1. I thought that partitions in cabs are for the safety of the cabbie not the passengers. Aren’t these
partitions to protect drivers from robbers. Even if its true about partitions in a Prius or Civic; they
could just install them in an Escape Hybrid CUV that would have enough room for a partition and
still be fuel efficient.
2. I would think the opposite that cabs have to be kept in good if not decent working order as to
maintain operation. Because a non-working cab is a non-earning cabbie. And I’ve heard of
Hybrids with 200k on th odometer so I don’t see a problem with these vehicles
3. NY TLC could just rollback the requirement of 13k to 6500 cabs or something like that.
10/09, 7:46 PM
posted by:
Jordan
t-ak-box,
the “passenger safety” they’re referring to doesn’t have anything to do with keeping the passengers safe from the cabby with a partition. because there is less legroom in smaller vehicles, the partition would have to be installed closer to the passengers. close enough that if there’s a collision, they might smack their skull against it and get brains all over the backseat.
10/09, 8:25 PM
posted by:
t-ak-box
@ Jordan
My point is that they can use larger vehicles, like said Escape hybrid, Camry hybrid, Altima hybrid, Malibu hybrid, Aura hybrid and Vue hybrid. Also like I said these partitions seem to be for the safety of the driver not the rear seat passengers. I live in LA and most of the cabs I’ve seen on the street do not have partitions, also haven’t seen any in SF the couple of times I was there.
10/09, 10:14 PM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
I had to take a cab last week from downtown Vancouver back to the airport (it was an Uplander if that matters). There are scores of Prius’ being used as cabs here so I asked my friendly driver how they were holding up. He said the average cab racks up between 150 and 200k kms per annum and he’s yet to hear of a Prius where the battery pack needed to be replaced. In fact when it comes to general maintenance they are about the most reliable vehicle out there. Now Vancouver’s not New York- there is no deal with partitions- but I don’t imagine the wear and tear issue varies much from one metropolis to the other.
10/09, 10:42 PM
posted by:
bigp
they never drive fst enought to cause major damage to the car
10/10, 12:01 AM
posted by:
JoeKing
t-ak-box
I assume you’ve never actually been to NYC. Your 3rd idea to reduce (the already inadequate) supply of cabs is so unbelievably naive & misguided. Are you aware of the ..purpose…of taxis & the fact that if your brainstorm were implimented the result would be either..1) even MORE difficulty in finding a cab..or 2) encouraging people to drive THEIR cars into the city?
Why not suggest a total ban on motorized transport in NYC..you wouldn’t be the first. Better yet..why not de-populate Manhattan island..& restore it to its natural condition..in the name of clean air?
10/10, 7:11 AM
posted by:
carstuff
My point is that they can use larger vehicles, like said Escape hybrid, Camry hybrid, Altima hybrid, Malibu hybrid, Aura hybrid and Vue hybrid.
Because they are still not big enough. The partition goes BEHIND the front seats (in rearmost position) and the knee room is not exactly generous in the vehicles you posted.
Isn’t New York like Star Trek? Just say: Make It So! and it will get done?
I think the idea to reduce the number was to only replace a portion with hybrids and keep the a portion of large ones. However I could see many waving off the hybrids because they were too small.
Johhny, ever been to New York? Its a bit more severe than anywhere else in the US that I have been to.
10/10, 9:13 AM
posted by:
bcjohnso99
In the capital of Canada where I live, there are no partitions. We care about each other so we don’t have to install safety mechanisms for the driver that result in safety hazards for passengers.
Food for thought eh!
10/10, 9:17 AM
posted by:
sentinel1111
passenger safety and New York taxis in the same sentence makes me laugh
10/10, 11:04 AM
posted by:
RaineMan
Most NYC taxis never get above 35… I don’t see where passenger safety is an issue.
10/10, 11:53 AM
posted by:
MercMark
Illegal immigrant powered rickshaws!
10/10, 12:50 PM
posted by:
RaineMan
Of course… if the stock market continues its downward spiral there may not be much of a NYC left to need those taxis.
10/10, 2:27 PM
posted by:
dmlgc
Typical European way of thinking… I have no ideas, great I can’t think of anything, lets do nothing, ****! we didn’t get it wrong…we didn’t do anything. Let’s blame America for do something.
Well done Europe… Keep the stereotype dead and not moving!
10/10, 7:15 PM
posted by:
olds307
MAYOR BLOOMBERG IS A !@#$% IDIOT!!!!111
10/10, 7:21 PM
posted by:
olds307
QUOTE: Most NYC taxis never get above 35… I don’t see where passenger safety is an issue.
lol…. right
QUOTE: like said Escape hybrid, Camry hybrid, Altima hybrid, Malibu hybrid, Aura hybrid and Vue hybrid
those are all SMALL cars compared to Crown Vics.
QUOTE: There is NO PERFECT CAR for The Big Apple
The Crown Vic is, I used to own one, and it was perfect for driving and parking in the city. That car chewed up pot holes and spit them out… and in that car it was easy to beat the cab drivers at their own game.
10/10, 10:05 PM
posted by:
Get Real
Just wait until November for more Pinko ideas like this to come to a town near you.
10/11, 11:53 AM
posted by:
Dindel
Why not use good, clean diesels? All the taxi’s in Europe are.
10/17, 9:37 AM
posted by:
More to Come
In Searching i have found a car that
WAS BUILT TO BE A TAXI
ITS THE METROKING
Metroking.net
Please take a look at this
WHY DOES THE TLC NOT HAVE THIS ON THE ROAD IN NYC IS BEYOND ME
10/17, 9:38 AM
posted by:
More to Come
Features & Benefits:
Any car can be a cab, METROKING¨ , was made to be a taxi.
•
Patented Taxi Design and configuration (Patent# 6.390.537)
•
Six Occupant vehicle designed for city cycle Taxi Service
•
Standard auxiliary air conditioning for Passenger Compartment ADA compliant, full time wheelchair side door access design that does not compromise normal passenger carrying capabilities
•
More than twice the luggage capacity of a normal cab.
•
Unique transferable passenger module for use on successive chassis
•
GM Colorado cab, chassis, drive train and suspension for comfort, long life, low maintenance and excellent parts availability
•
Choice of economical, powerful 4 cyl. 175 hp or 5 cyl. 220 hp engines
•
METROKING¨ Leaseline Financing available
10/17, 9:45 AM
posted by:
More to Come
METROKING is a new concept in personalized public transportation. Its design addresses the industry’s need for a vehicle which is durable, low maintenance and economical to operate. It satisfies the demands of the riding public for comfort, safety and convenience.
METROKING® offers a practical answer to the increasing input regulatory groups are putting forward regarding the needs of the disabled for ADA compliant wheelchair accessibility. The New York City TLC recently auctioned restricted accessible medallions at reduced prices, to promote their use.
The finished product is based on innovative mating of a rugged, reliable and economical chassis cab to a unique passenger module specifically designed to meet the needs of the taxi industry.
This distinct design has been awarded a patent and supported with development funding by NY State.
AND I FORGOT TO MENTION ITS A HANDICAPPED ACCESSIBLE ALSO
TLC WAKE UP AND GET IN TOUCH WITH THESE GUYS ASAP PLEASE
JUST CONSIDER ALL OF THE NEGATIVE PRESS THAT YOU CAN ELIMINATE WITH A VEHICLE LIKE THIS ON THE STREETS OF NEW YORK CITY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!