Itsi Atkins
11-12-2004, 02:33 AM
NTY, Nov. 7th
'New York City moved to expand its number of wheelchair-accessible cabs to 30 from 3 by auctioning 27 new taxi medallions earmarked for such vehicles. But the City's nearly 12,500 yellow cabs can be hailed only on the street, and many wheelchair users find it more practical to telephone livery car services to pick them up at homes or other departure points. On Oct. 2 wheelchair users also made a gain in the use of car services with less public attention. A state court upheld a city rule that a car service must provide a wheelchair-accessible vehicle when it is requested, either one it owns or one it arranges for another licensed company to send, at the same price as a regular car.
A group of livery companies had sued the city, arguing that the rule was financially arduous for them and that it took their property for public use without just compensation. The group's lawyer, Robert S. Hammer, said it would probably appeal the court decision.
As it is 11 of the 25,000 livery cars in the city are wheelchair-accessible, a figure that advocates for wheelchair users call highly inadequate. But Matthew W. Daus the Taxi and Limousine Commission chairman, said that 'we've started the process' towrd attaining the level of service required.
'New York City moved to expand its number of wheelchair-accessible cabs to 30 from 3 by auctioning 27 new taxi medallions earmarked for such vehicles. But the City's nearly 12,500 yellow cabs can be hailed only on the street, and many wheelchair users find it more practical to telephone livery car services to pick them up at homes or other departure points. On Oct. 2 wheelchair users also made a gain in the use of car services with less public attention. A state court upheld a city rule that a car service must provide a wheelchair-accessible vehicle when it is requested, either one it owns or one it arranges for another licensed company to send, at the same price as a regular car.
A group of livery companies had sued the city, arguing that the rule was financially arduous for them and that it took their property for public use without just compensation. The group's lawyer, Robert S. Hammer, said it would probably appeal the court decision.
As it is 11 of the 25,000 livery cars in the city are wheelchair-accessible, a figure that advocates for wheelchair users call highly inadequate. But Matthew W. Daus the Taxi and Limousine Commission chairman, said that 'we've started the process' towrd attaining the level of service required.