From left to right are event hosts Neomi, Zion and Meir Yakuel, Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, City attorney Scott Pasternack, TLC Commissioner/Chairman Mathew W. Daus, and Congressman Jerrold Nadler.

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg has announced a series of initiatives to increase the use of fuel efficient and environmentally friendly taxicabs, though new financial incentives and legislative initiatives.  The Mayor’s announcement follows a recent decision in Federal District Court that prohibited the City from mandating the use of cleaner, more fuel efficient taxicabs.  The new program announced offers financial incentives for taxi fleet owners to purchase fuel efficient vehicles and financial disincentives for the continue use of less efficient vehicles.  The Mayor was joined at the announcement by Congressman Jerrold Nadler, Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) Chairman Matthew W. Daus, Council Member David Yassky, Richard Kassel of the Natural Resources Defense Council, Meir Yakuel, Co-Owner of the Yakuel Taxi Garage where the announcement was made, and Rati Sharma, a taxicab driver.

The TLC has embarked on a project to explore the ways in which a “Taxi of Tomorrow” may be designed and manufactured.  The agency has distributed a Request For Information (RFI) that sought input, specifically from the auto industry, on the possibilities of creating a more appropriate vehicle for the New York City taxi fleet that incorporates the needs of diverse stakeholders-passengers, drivers, owners, and New York City residents. The TLC is currently in the process of analyzing the responses it has received.  Learn more about the “Taxi of Tomorrow” project by clicking on the links below…

The New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) has begun a two-year experimental program to provide wheelchair accessible service via medallion taxicabs and meter-equipped for-hire vehicles (FHVs) through the 311 system.  Please click on the links below to learn more……

New York City taxicabs are now equipped with an assortment of customer service-intensive technology-based improvements that include an interactive electronic passenger map and information screen, and credit/debit card acceptance.  Other enhancements will assist in the recovery of lost passenger property, and provide drivers with both business opportunities and important emergency information while electronically replacing the handwritten trip sheet.

For more information:

For the first time, the City will offer a variety of officially licensed TLC merchandise as well as other City products on one authorized website. The new online shop was launched on Thanksgiving Day by Mayor Bloomberg as part of the City’s new ‘Wear NYC ’ marketing campaign. In time for the holiday season, the site will allow visitors to purchase official merchandise from a total of seven municipal agencies. Anyone with internet access now has the chance to show their pride and support by owning a piece of NYC. A portion of proceeds will go to promoting and protecting the City.