The city comptroller stepped into the debate over the accessibility of city taxis, vowing on Wednesday to reject the contract for a fleet of new yellow cabs unless Mayor Michael Bloomberg amends the deal to require all—not just some—be wheelchair accessible.
Comptroller John Liu said he would block the contract “as is” because it violates the Americans with Disabilities Act. He promised to use all legal tools at his disposal to fight the contract if the mayor tries to bypass his office. Under the city charter, the comptroller can reject city contracts with vendors, but only under certain circumstances.
The city law department accused Mr. Liu of skirting his responsibilities as comptroller. “None of the matters he raised today—including ADA compliance—would constitute lawful grounds for refusing” to approve the contract, law department spokeswoman Kate Ahlers said in a statement.
Mr. Liu’s announcement comes months after the mayor and Gov. Andrew Cuomo brokered a deal that would boost by 2,000 the number wheelchair-accessible yellow cabs on city streets and offer incentives to current medallion owners who buy them instead of other taxis.
Currently, 232 of the city’s roughly 13,000 yellow cabs are wheelchair accessible. Mr. Liu’s announcement does not pertain to livery cabs.
“A TLC spokesman called Mr. Liu’s actions ‘both mysterious and clearly ill-informed.’”
The city is also fighting a federal judge’s ruling in December that it’s not doing enough to make yellow cabs accessible to wheelchair users. The suit was stayed by the Second U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, allowing the city to move forward.
The city plans to convert all taxicabs to a single model: a van made by Nissan Motor Co. that is expected to begin hitting the streets in 2013. That vehicle isn’t wheelchair-accessible, but can be retrofitted to allow wheelchairs in and out.
Flanked by disability-rights advocates at the press conference, Mr. Liu said the city should have followed London, where all taxis can handle riders in wheelchairs, when picking the so-called Taxi of Tomorrow. “How can it really be the Taxi of Tomorrow if a growing number of people cannot use it?” he said.
Following the press conference, the comptroller’s spokesman, Peter Thorne, said Mr. Liu “will use every legal action available to ensure the contract does not move forward until it adheres to the ADA and makes yellow cabs wheelchair-accessible.”
A Taxi and Limousine Commission spokesman, Allan Fromberg, called Mr. Liu’s actions “both mysterious and clearly ill-informed,” saying the TLC is in compliance with ADA laws.
The comptroller’s office lawyer, Valerie Budzik, replied: “It is absurd to suggest that the City Comptroller should register a contract that is discriminatory and in violation of federal civil rights law.”
Assemblyman Micah Kellner, a Democrat who has hounded the Bloomberg administration to provide greater access for wheelchair-bound taxi passengers, supported Mr. Liu. Having agreed to standards that would require more accessible cabs, Mr. Kellner said, “Why would you then lock the industry into a vehicle that is not accessible?”
Horray, finally someone step in to say something and taking action, whether he will suceed or not, it is a good thing for all yellow cab drivers. all yellow cab driver need leadership who fully understand the constitution right to deal with TLC because the majority are immigrants. I wonder why NYTWA did not rasie such important question ?
Will see what happens, but it would be even better if there is a way to stop the borotaxis.
What a mess …
Another politicians who can speak against the current policy on taxi n transportation in general. Scott Stinger, current Manhattan borough president who have some knowledge on transportation n next mayoral candidate. Senator Shumer whose wife was the commissioner of NYC DOT who opposed Park west bike lane.
Actual Color of OUTER BORO CABS is SLIME GREEN, Paint Code : Bloombergs Shit Colored Diareha …$
It is very easy to find a solution to this
wheelchair accessible taxi problem. All the city has to do is to find out how many handicapped people are moving around in NYC on a daily basis. this can be found out statisticaly. The access-a-ride company that moves these handicapped people around can provide their numbers. Acording to this statistical data the number of wheelchair taxis can be determind. Who said that the politicians are normal inteligent people? They are all a bunch of idiots that would sell their mother into a prostitution for holding to that seat in the government. What do you think? A yellow cab driver.
It is very easy to find a solution to this wheelchair accessible taxi problem. All the city has to do is to find out how many handicapped people are moving around in NYC on a daily basis. this can be found out statisticaly. The access-a-ride company that moves these handicapped people around can provide their numbers. Acording to this statistical data the number of wheelchair taxis can be determind. Who said that the politicians are normal inteligent people? They are all a bunch of idiots that would sell their mother into a prostitution for holding to that seat in the government. What do you think? A yellow cab driver.
LIon, come on , wheelchair accessible taxi is only an excuse, think deeper will you?
Access a Ride Will be ELIMINATED when ALL BOROS Reach 18,000 Number !!! Thats the Citys ULTIMATE GOAL !!! Saves Million and Millions of Dollars …Oh you STILL Cant Get Wheelchair Cab, Mr / Mrs Handicaped Person ??? We will ADD 10,000 more OB Cabs….Mark MY WORDS …Folks….BTW I pick up Wheel Chair Folks and put in trunk of Crown V ….THERE JUST ARENT THAT MANY WHO USE CABS !!!! SAME WITH THE BLIND !!!!
Tony Fox …you are correct , there will be more added until the yellow cab industry is mess up.
I thought the idea was to create hybrid taxi/ livery for the outer boroughs, but that clearly can’t be, since there would be no way to tell if a green car picking up in Manhattan were doing a pre-arranged pickup.There are no reliable spots in any of the outer boroughs for all day fares as far as I know, so how will they make money? Is the trick that they own the cars outright? Liveries have pretty steep weekly fees, base costs etc. What are the fees on this thing? Do they just put down 3 grand every three years and keep what they make beyond fuel costs and paying off the original livery license and/or car payments if that applies?
I just wish this John Liu can also look into other things like how taxi drvier’s human rights are being violated, and investigate the corruptions on everyone who is related to the taxi industries. some one has to take the lead to make changes for a better life to all cab drivers, they have family too and also paid for high rent, high food cost, in the city with peanuts they made to take home. its is already tough and someone want to make it tough until you cannot breath while sitting behind the desk and earning 5 digit salary all benefit and taxes paid
Jim, green cabs r not allowed street hails AND prearranged pickups in M, while livery n black cars r not allowed street hails also but for prearrangement. And green cabs in OB r for dual uses for street hails AND dispatched from base or prearranged.
So in M, green cabs doors r for one way out period. If any passenger gets in, it’s illegal period.
Correction: Scott Stringer not Stinger who undertook an observational survey for bike lane usage n concluded bike lanes r misused by many others. At least some attention to find out what’s really going on with traffic involving bikes. Next survey recommendation: How many bikers own cars in M n left them in parking space thus contributed to easing congestion. Bikers have some driving experience or driver’s license at all. Therefore What justify bike promotion in M. Who regulates minimum equipments like night lights n bell n brakes as mandate. Who can ride bikes besides two legs but color blinded or not even sharing right of way concept. N no MTA tax.
Now that livery cabs can pick up fares with meters installed in them, it means more competition and less fares for yellow cabs in outer boros. As a result, less income for yellow drivers. Don’t you think that the city should increase the meter, lets say from $2.50 initial to $3.50 or $4.00 to compensate for this loss of income? Don’t you think that at least the meter should increase according to the increase in cost of living every year and not every 15 years? Five years ago my rent was $1250 and now is $1550.These coward polititians in city hall including John Liu should come out of the closet and say: “Hey, you spoiled New yorkers, you want a train ride, it will cost you $4.00 begining tomorrow. Give me some feed back.
I think every one who enter yellow cab show swip their ID card as they do in order to enter a night club/bar. This way no one will ever get out the cab with out paying.
2nd: I think people should swip Credit card first than ride in taxi. For example if someone is going to Brooklyn from Grand central. They should swip card first, if the credit card has $50 than meter should be on but if they have $10 in credit card than they should get a MSG on screen.
Mr. Yahoo,
I realy loved your idea of swipping credit card first. And TLC should make this rule mandatory. I guess the GPS vendors like Veripone and CMT would have to come up with a computer software for tht.
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