Taxi of Tomorrow Scuttled Yesterday

"A judge on Tuesday blocked New York City’s plan for a nearly uniform fleet of yellow taxis, dealing a potentially decisive blow to one of the Bloomberg administration’s signature transportation initiatives," reports Matt Flegenheimer. "Justice Shlomo S. Hagler of State Supreme Court in Manhattan said the city’s Taxi and Limousine Commission had exceeded its authority in devising a plan to require that nearly all yellow taxi operators purchase the same vehicle, a Nissan NV200 — the model chosen by the city as part of the Taxi of Tomorrow competition in 2011."

"The legal headaches wrought by the Nissan Taxi of Tomorrow — criticized since its inception for being neither a hybrid nor wheelchair-accessible (unless modified) — may not disappear with the cab itself," notes Felgenheimer. "Nissan, which secured a 10-year contract with the city worth an estimated $1 billion, may seek to recoup production costs and other expenses already incurred. A spokesman said the company was 'evaluating options for next steps regarding the exclusivity contract,' adding that the company had already invested more than $50 million in the program."