Hybrids shouldn’t be taxicabs, commission warns

Its usually the driver that makes a taxi unsafe.

I don't think that hybrid taxis (FEH, Prius) would be less safe than any other type of vehicle, but Dr. Fusco's point about the side airbags is well taken.

I think this article may have some missing information in order to meet an agenda.

 

A friend of ours on a trip to the Pacific Rim had a similar experience with an Asian taxicab driver. When our friend, the frightened rider, complained to the driver, the driver looked over his shoulder and said: "You Americans cring to rife."

Tom

 

I'd be surprised, as typically Toyota doesn't like to get involved heavily in fleet/commercial.

 

Wussies compared to the taxi drivers at Subic Bay. In the Navy we had a saying that "All the surviving Kamikaze pilots became Subic taxi drivers"

And now..... :focus:

 

Pubic Bay!

 

Considering the Prius is one of the safest cars on the road right now, and all hybrids available in the market these days have the latest and greatest safety gizmos, this is a BS lawsuit, and it will have a quick death once it is discovered through crash testing, that the hybrid's are more than suitable for taxi use, even with the bullet proof partition. Besides, how many accidents are there per day/per week/per month/per year in NYC where cabs get broadsided? Not many believe it or not...

As an afterthought, any cab you get into in NY City right now, hybrid or non hybrid, has an automated system that TELL'S THE NEW PASSENGER to buckle up...so that right there, is enough to tell you that your safety is a priority.

Of course the hybrids are going to cost some money to put on the roads, and sure a retired cruiser is going to cost a lot less, however, in the long run, it's better for the city. We'll have cleaner air, less noise pollution etcetera.

 

A several of points:

1) As I understand it, no cars have been certified by manufactures for taxi use, or crash tested, including the Crown Victorias.

2) In NYC, the taxi drivers pay for gas, not the taxi owners. Therefore buyers of taxis see no benefit buying hybrids. The drivers love them.

3) A lot Police Departments are looking into hybrids because they are running out fuel. So the era plentiful used police Crown Victorias is coming to an end.

-Kurt