The US Supreme Court just put the kibosh on Mayor Bloomberg’s effort to end-run a federal law and make midget cars New York’s principal taxis.
The justices yesterday nixed an appeal of a ruling that struck down Bloomberg’s attempts to force the city’s cab fleets to go all-hybrid.
It’s a big win for those who believe that taxis should accommodate people who are neither dwarves nor contortionists.
Bloomberg had repeatedly been rejected by the courts, which found that federal fuel-emissions rules, well, rule.
Moreover, while hybrids may get better gas mileage, they are cramped, eggshell-like vehicles which common sense suggests would be dangerous in a crash.
The heftier Crown Victoria is being phased out — more’s the pity — and the city is conducting a contest to find the “taxi of tomorrow.”
Not surprisingly, the three finalists are all pretty ugly. It remains to be seen how safe they are.
Beyond that, fleet owners aren’t against fuel-efficient cabs — as long as they are safe and durable, and don’t interfere with their ability to turn a profit.
Riders have an interest in the new cabs being large enough to hold more than one passenger and a bag of groceries.
Of course, Bloomberg won’t give up — rickshaw lanes, anyone? — but he seems to have met his match for the time being.
Taxi!