Taxi and Limousine Commission approves new rules for Taxi of Tomorrow

The "Taxi of Tomorrow," a Nissan NV200 van, was displayed at the 2012 New York International Auto Show at the Jacob Javits Convention Center. But in May a judge ruled that city law requires cabbies or fleet owners be able to purchase a hybrid; the NV200 is not available as a hybrid. Based on the court's decision, the city amended the rules for the Taxi of Tomorrow, allowing for the purchase of a hybrid alternative. The Taxi and Limousine Commission approved the changes Thursday, but legal challenges appear likely. — Ron Antonelli/New York Daily News
The “Taxi of Tomorrow,” a Nissan NV200 van, was displayed at the 2012 New York International Auto Show at the Jacob Javits Convention Center. But in May a judge ruled that city law requires cabbies or fleet owners be able to purchase a hybrid; the NV200 is not available as a hybrid. Based on the court’s decision, the city amended the rules for the Taxi of Tomorrow, allowing for the purchase of a hybrid alternative. The Taxi and Limousine Commission approved the changes Thursday, but legal challenges appear likely.

PUBLISHED: June 20, 2013 at 9:39 p.m. | UPDATED: January 10, 2019 at 5:39 a.m.

The Taxi and Limousine Commission on Thursday passed an amended set of rules for its controversial “Taxi of Tomorrow.”

Under the new rules, cab operators would be able to purchase a hybrid alternative to the Nissan NV200 minivan cab — at least until Nissan comes out with a hybrid version of the minivan.

The Bloomberg administration decided two years ago that Nissan would be the sole supplier of the Taxi of Tomorrow — yellow cabs designed with passenger amenities like cell phone charging stations and a see-through roof, to allow tourists to take in New York’s vertical splendor.

The multi-year phase in to the city’s current yellow cab fleet is expected to start in October.

In May a Manhattan Supreme Court judge ruled that city law requires cab operators be given the option of purchasing a hybrid vehicle. The NV200 is not a hybrid.

The new rules voted upon Thursday were intended to satisfy the May court ruling.

Opponents, however, vowed to continue lawsuits against the Taxi of Tomorrow. Some fleet owners worry about being restricted to a single model from one car maker. Advocates for the disabled want the city to mandate that every cab be wheelchair accessible.

pdonohue@nydailynews.com