After the PlaNYC was introduced by the Mayor a month ago, there were a lot of great programs being reviewed. However one was missing, the taxis that hurtle down the streets and avenues of the city. Well Bloomberg made sure they were included today, promising that the entire fleet will consist of hybrids by 2012.
From WCBS-TV:
According to the mayor, it will be 25 miles per gallon or bust. That's the fuel efficiency that the mayor is pushing for the city's taxi fleet by the year 2012.
"There's an awful lot of taxicabs on the streets of New York City obviously, so it makes a real big difference," Bloomberg said. "These cars just sit there in traffic sometimes, belching fumes; this does a lot less. It's a lot better for all of us."
Currently, roughly 90 percent of the city's 13,000 yellow cabs are Crown Victorias. And while they may be roomy inside for passenger comfort, they get a paltry 10 to 15 miles per gallon for city driving.
Hybrids can do a lot better than 25 miles an hour, but considering how taxi drivers handle their cars it is pretty good. I've heard some drivers complain about the hybrids lack of power, but frankly I tell them "tough." The air of New York is much more important than enabling their (mostly) reckless driving.
|