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NY Times - Hybrid Taxis in NYC

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by Boo, Apr 26, 2008.

  1. Boo

    Boo Boola Boola Member

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    #1 Boo, Apr 26, 2008
  2. JimN

    JimN Let the games begin!

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    Perhaps it is time to resurrect the Marathon as a hybrid.
     
    #2 JimN, Apr 26, 2008
  3. qbee42

    qbee42 My other car is a boat

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    It would have plenty of room for batteries. I grew up in Kalamazoo, so Checker Marathons have a special place in my heart.

    Tom
     
    #3 qbee42, Apr 27, 2008
  4. patsparks

    patsparks An Aussie perspective

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    Maybe import some traditional London cabs with their 4 cylinder diesel engine and room for 4 in the back, 5 at a pinch and your bags go in with you.
    [​IMG]
     
    #4 patsparks, Apr 27, 2008
  5. Boo

    Boo Boola Boola Member

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    Best Body Type for Taxis

    As Pat said, I think something like a London cab body (small, upright, boxy, wagon/van with space behind rear seats) would probably be the best body type for urban taxis.

    This body type, coupled with good gas milege and low emissions, would seem ideal.

    Right now, I don't think there's anything available in the US that meets those criteria.

    Maybe a Prius wagon or a hybrid Scion xB or a VW Rabbit TDI diesel would be close enough.
     
    #5 Boo, Apr 27, 2008
  6. Boo

    Boo Boola Boola Member

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    A rare, clear, close-up shot of one of the elusive 18 Prius taxis in New York City (it's like being thisclose to Bigfoot):

    [​IMG]

    And an out of focus shot of a New York City Highlander Hybrid taxi:

    [​IMG]
     
    #6 Boo, Aug 27, 2008
  7. NYMama

    NYMama Junior Member

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    I saw a Prius taxi on the Cross County Parkway about 1 week ago. It was probably heading into NYC. Very Cute! Didn't realize it was 1 of 18!
     
    #7 NYMama, Aug 27, 2008
  8. zenMachine

    zenMachine Just another Onionhead

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    Seattle has so many Prius taxis it's not even funny. I saw one on the highway with so much luggage that the hatch had to be held down by a bungee cord.

    A Prius wagon would have solved that problem.
     
    #8 zenMachine, Aug 27, 2008
  9. Qlara

    Qlara New Member

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    Not only that, the Highlander Hybrid Taxi is just RIGHT BEHIND this Prius Taxi too.....what's the odd of that? (Not only this close to bigfoot, you also see its siblings together! :D )
     
    #9 Qlara, Aug 27, 2008
  10. Boo

    Boo Boola Boola Member

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    Lol. I thought so, but I wasn't sure.
     
    #10 Boo, Aug 27, 2008
  11. usbseawolf2000

    usbseawolf2000 HSD PhD

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    Yup, that's HH in the background. Just look at the Hybrid Synergy Drive (HybridSD) emblem under the side view mirror.

    [​IMG]
     
    #11 usbseawolf2000, Aug 27, 2008
  12. halpos4

    halpos4 "Taxi"!

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    Is it true that all NYC taxis have to be hybrids by a certain year?
     
    #12 halpos4, Aug 27, 2008
  13. Boo

    Boo Boola Boola Member

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    I haven't read the exact law, but according to the NY Times article I linked in my opening post, the law is that by 2012 NYC taxis must average at least 30 mpg in the city. Right now, that pretty much leaves you with hybrids, like the Prius and others, that can get 30 mpg in the city.
     
    #13 Boo, Aug 27, 2008
  14. abcdefgary

    abcdefgary New Member

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    Yeah. I've seen a lot in Seattle. It seems that the WSDOT (Washington State Department of Transportation) uses white ones and combined with the individual owners, it seems that they are everywhere.
     
    #14 abcdefgary, Aug 27, 2008
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