Taxi of Tomorrow

New York has been holding a competition for a "Taxi of Tomorrow" that was put in place 3 years ago and focuses on building a taxicab that would eventually take over the entire New York taxi fleet. The vehicle would include features that are fuel efficient, offer more passenger space, provide accessibility to persons with mobility impairments, and be “iconic to New York City.” Recently, three finalists were announced, and some members of the disability community are outraged that only one of the three vehicles is a wheelchair accessible taxi. The finalists announced Monday are Ford Motor Co., Nissan North America Inc. and Karsan USA. Karsan is a Turkish company that makes cars for such brands as Fiat and Hyundai. The three finalists were chosen from seven submissions.

Currently only 240 out of more than 13,000 city taxis can accommodate a passenger using a wheelchair. “We are disappointed that two of the vehicles are not being purpose built meaning we'll still be dealing with vehicles that were not designed or manufactured for inclusive, wheelchair accessible travel,” said Edith M. Prentiss, co-chair of the Taxis for All Campaign. “We have a unique opportunity to have a fully accessible taxi fleet and it would be a shame to see that opportunity go by the wayside.” The Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) says that they have already gone above and beyond what is required of them for accessibility standards. "Taxicabs are not required by the ADA to be wheelchair accessible," said TLC Chairman David S. Yassky. "Nonetheless it is the policy of the administration to be sure that we want this industry to be fully accessible. Whether that means every single vehicle, whether that means a significant number of vehicles and a dispatch system that makes them accessible, whatever the specifics are the commitment of the administration is that this industry must be accessible even beyond what the ADA requires." State Assemblyman Micah Z. Kellner has introduced legislation that would mandate full taxi accessibility by 2013. The legislator said that he is deeply concerned that this program may result in the status quo of inaccessibility. “The Taxi of Tomorrow is a historic opportunity for the Mayor and the TLC to make New York the world capital of accessibility by mandating a 100% wheelchair-accessible taxi fleet,” said Kellner. “The Mayor has stated repeatedly that he wants the Taxi of Tomorrow to be iconic—and I agree. It should be an icon of inclusiveness – a city that welcomes all people should have a taxi that everyone can get into. If the Mayor can’t choose an accessible vehicle, he needs to go back to the drawing board.” Yassky said that regardless of what vehicle is chosen, the new project won’t adversely impact accessibility. “We are required by state law to have at least 240 accessible cabs on the streets, and the Taxi of Tomorrow won’t change that,” he told a small group of reporters at City Hall. Yassky said it didn’t really matter whether they picked the Karsan vehicle that is accessible or not, regardless there will be accessible cabs either through after market modifications.” The project was started by former TLC Chairman Matthew W. Daus who promised a fully accessible, fuel efficient taxi, prompting many who partook in the early negotiations say today that they felt betrayed by the lack of accessibility, an early promise by the Commission. The three finalists have been asked to submit their best and final offering within the next month. A winning design will be announced early next year; the chosen automaker will have the right to exclusively provide the standard taxicab for 10 years. Officials expect the new vehicle to be on the road by the fall of 2014. To visit the NYC Taxi of Tomorrow website and voice your opinion, visit NYC.gov