Comments on: New York City’s Green Taxi Program Red Lighted By Federal Judge

By: pat b

pat b — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 16:16:09 +0000

if NYC can't regulate Taxi efficiency, can they regulate by noise standards? Hybrids are very quiet, they could

specify that only Hybrid or Electric cabs can be operated in quiet zones (Residential neighborhoods, near major hotels, near hospitals) from say 10PM to 8 AM

sure would put a strong lean towards hybrids as the gas cabs would lose a lot of business.

By: Bob of Boston

Bob of Boston — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 21:55:22 +0000

It is just example why Federal regulations should be in place. It is a lot of things behind the scene. Main problem that there is no built and tested “green” vehicle for taxi yet. Being exposed 20-24 hour on the roads taxi’s accident rate is much higher than for other vehicles. Accidents with small size and light “green” cars, which loaded with heavy batteries, may cause fire and heavy injuries (It was few problems in NYC as far as I know). Installed partitions in small vehicles may change the effect if Air Bags deployment, making them a killer. Thousands other big and small issues to consider before making decision to replace the vehicle.
Recent taxi fleet based on Ford Crown Victoria – good looking powerful and safe traditional car specifically designed and tested for harsh conditions. It is roomy car with heavy frame. Passengers feel comfortable, relaxed and safe inside. Taxi is the first that catch the eye and feeling of the city for everybody who visits it. Taxi ride on CroVic much more expensive as to compare to the Corolla 93 taxi hired while on Mexico vacation, but you know what you are paying for. Live in Boston is expensive but insured, why taxi should be cheap?
Boston taxi vehicle purchased, owned and insured by company who has medallion or license to operate. Insurance is one of the biggest expense. And it is liability insurance only – if you are at fault, repair your vehicle at your expense (It may be not bad arrangement to promote safety). To operate as a taxi, vehicle requires modifications which may affect safety. Manufactures of “greens” will void the warranty for modified vehicle, insurance companies will not insure vehicle which was not built and tested for application, or modified. Or they may want much higher premiums.
Because taxi does not have “comprehensive” insurance, dealer or bank does not finance the purchase and it always acquired for cash. All repairs and replacement of lost vehicle, if operator is at fault, are for cash as well. How can the driver/owner afford $40k vehicle without finance, and how he can operate $40k vehicle without “comprehansive” insurance?
I do not know who you are – the reader, but I know that if you get injured by taxi as a passenger, or while operating other vehicle, the first thing you will do, you will call emergency, and the second you will call your lawyer and insurance. Who do you want will pay all huge bills and settlements? Car manufacture? Driver/Owner? Or City? May be the City – they commanded, but I do not think they have it in mind. And what charges do you expect while you hire the “green” taxi. Should they cover risks involved?
We live in the society with insured risks. We insure life, houses, cars, flights, health, money. It cost a lot, but it gives us peace in mind. It is one of the best ideas which really works in USA and many others advanced capitalistic countries. I do not think it is time to do mess of it.
It is definitely a lot of things with taxi behind the scene and if every City in USA will rush to implement their ideas, who will be in trouble first? It is a passenger, as well as everybody else. Hard to predict.
And this is why we need to be very careful in substitution of the Federal regulations with regulations invented by local authorities in regards to the vehicle allowed for taxi use (in many other regards as well). In this particular case and time local authorities may not be strong enough to implement change right and creating suitable vehicle may require Fed involvement and coordination.
We need clean air, we need to save on gas. But we need to have it done right.

By: web

web — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 01:50:43 +0000

Awesome. Hope their fares aren't more expensive.

By: Res Tanch

Res Tanch — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 12:07:00 +0000

This would've been great for New York city. They should be a role model for other cities.

By: Bored

Bored — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 07:29:26 +0000

what california can set their own smog requirements but other states can't set their own fuel efficiency requirements? that makes no sense at all.

By: Kyle

Kyle — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 06:22:39 +0000

Why don't they just control the co2 emissions for cabs instead? They can achieve the same results by setting the Co2 output per 100 miles equal to that of a hybrid if setting fuel standards for the cabs is illegal, which I don't believe it is. The City Commissions and Licenses cabs, which means that the City has the right to regulate this business. Which means that to receive a license, the city can mandate standards, including fuel efficiency. This needs an appeal.

By: Joshua

Joshua — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 00:46:31 +0000

This ruling makes no sense at all. The NYC Taxi Commission sets the regulations on the cabs it licenses, not the federal government. And I'm sure the cabs are owned by the Commission, not by the drivers. Thus, it should do as it pleases with the cabs in order to reduce emissions. It's not as if Bloomberg is requiring an industrial plant that the city does not own to reduce pollutants (b/c as noble as that sounds, the federal government should have jurisdiction over that rather than the states or cities). Something definitely smells fishy, and hopefully it'll come out very soon.

By: NY yellow taxicabs 'to go green' - The Environment Site Forums

NY yellow taxicabs 'to go green' - The Environment Site Forums — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 00:14:52 +0000

[...] A federal judge has stopped Mayor Bloomberg’s attempt to clean up the air in New York City by using fuel-efficient hybrid taxis. New York City’s Green Taxi Program Red Lighted By Federal Judge : Red, Green, and Blue [...]

By: Arya

Arya — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 22:45:51 +0000

Adding to my comment above, The best idea would be to give TAX breaks to the cab companies who go green. Try to encourage people into being environmentally friendly by encouraging them. Not by passing laws that force them to be.

By: Arya

Arya — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 22:43:21 +0000

Everyone has their head up their ass about this "going green" thing. Yeah I know Hybrids help reduce pollution but that does not justify FORCING a cab company to buy the clearly more expensive hybrids.

To the people supporting Bloomberg's attempt:

How would you like it if the government forced you to take the bus to work to save mother earth?

Or the if government limited your water, or electricity use?