Fidel Castro would be proud of the Taxi & Limousine Commission for dictating that its drivers get the Taxi of Tomorrow, an industry trade group said in state Supreme Court on Tuesday.
A lawyer for the Greater New York Taxi Association accused the TLC of “socialism” and creating a “Cuban-style government” by forcing the new cars — or a hybrid alternative — on them.
But Judge Shlomo S. Hagler seemed skeptical. “To be fair, this is not Cuban-style,” he said, noting that the agency gathered a lot of input before picking the design.
Attorney Steven Mintz said the TLC had overstepped its authority, and claimed that cab owners will face lawsuits because the new vehicle is not handicapped-accessible.
City attorney Peter Brennan shot back that the TLC is given power in the city charter to design vehicles. “This language is crystal-clear,” he said, adding that the car does not violate the Americans with Disabilities Act because cabs are not required to be handicapped-accessible.
The judge has not yet made a decision on the arguments. The Taxi of Tomorrow is scheduled to roll out on Oct. 28.