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NYC taxis going from yellow to green
"New York City's yellow taxi fleet now will go green at the rate of 300 new hybrid cars a month, Mayor Michael Bloomberg said on Wednesday, citing an agreement with car-makers to supply the fuel-light cabs.
There are already more than 1,300 hybrid taxis in the city, and each one saves its drivers about $6,500 a year, Taxi and Limousine Commission Chairman Matthew Daus said in a joint statement with the mayor.
Bloomberg aims to accomplish 127 green initiatives before his second and final four-year term ends in 2010. In December,
the Taxi and Limousine Commission voted to require all vehicles that join the taxi fleet to be hybrids by October 1. The only exception is for cabs specially equipped for the handicapped.
Nissan Motor Co has promised the city to supply up to 200 of its Altima hybrids per month, while General Motors will provide 50 Chevrolet Malibu hybrids and Ford Motor Co promised 50 of its Escape hybrids, the mayor said.
That adds up to 90 more cars per month than the Taxi and Limousine Commission had said were needed to meet its goals, which aim to ensure that by 2012, the entire taxi fleet will be all-hybrid or a mix that includes other cars with similar high mile-per-gallon ratings.
Fast-growing demand for hybrids in an era of soaring gasoline prices is one of the brightest markets for automobile companies and New York City is not alone in emphasizing taxis.
Ford, for example, says San Francisco put its first Escape hybrid taxi on the streets in 2005, followed by other cities, including Chicago.
Jim Kliesch, a senior engineer with the Union of Concerned Scientists, a nonprofit think tank in Washington, D.C., said New York City's turn to hybrids could prove influential. " "New York City's yellow taxi fleet now will go green at the rate of 300 new hybrid cars a month, Mayor Michael Bloomberg said on Wedne... more -
Take Me Home James // Comment Picked for TV
"Take Me Home James" generated a lot of fanfare during 2008's Pod Madness tournament including a shout out from the pod's star, Flula (aka the drunk german dj). Check out his comment then watch him in the pod: http://current.com/items/76348682_take_me_home_james "Take Me Home James" generated a lot of fanfare during 2008's Pod Madness tournament including a shout out from the pod's star, Flula ... more
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Cabbie Voices - The Lives Behind New York Cab Drivers
Over 12,000 yellow cabs ply the streets of New York, a city icon since their introduction 100 years ago. Cabbie Voices is a snapshot of the fascinating people in the driver’s seat, and their stories of one of the most interesting jobs in the Big Apple. Over 12,000 yellow cabs ply the streets of New York, a city icon since their introduction 100 years ago. Cabbie Voices is a snapshot ... more
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Taxi cab classics
This weekend I've been spending a lot of time in taxis. Journeying in a taxi is like being in a time machine, taking you back to a time when all music was well-crafted and inoffensive. You know the feeling. You collapse into a taxi after a night out, to be greeted with soft rock mush from Magic FM, that somehow fills your ears with pleasure. Favourite guilty pleasures? This weekend I've been spending a lot of time in taxis. Journeying in a taxi is like being in a time machine, taking you back to a ti... more
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Beyond the Railing
As suicide rates in Northern Ireland continue to rise sharply, taxi drivers at one of its most notorious death spots are being trained to help save lives. Mary O'Hara reports. As suicide rates in Northern Ireland continue to rise sharply, taxi drivers at one of its most notorious death spots are being trained... more
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Romance blooms in NYC cupid cab
NEW YORK - Finding your better half this Valentine's Day could be as easy as hailing a taxi — especially if Ahmed Ibrahim is in the driver's seat.
The 53-year-old cupid cab driver, as he refers to himself, has spent the past few years playing matchmaker to lonely New Yorkers, setting up more than 70 dates. Nineteen have led to relationships that lasted more than a year.
Ibrahim planned to decorate his yellow cab with red and white hearts and roses for Thursday.
"I've organized so many dates, and it really makes me feel good about it," Ibrahim said. "I've not had one complaint."
Ibrahim said he offers his matchmaking services to passengers he evaluates by listening to conversations and asking a few questions. He then exchanges phone numbers and e-mail addresses.
"I want to know if they're the real deal or just a player," he said. "If you're a player, then forget about it."
One of his clients, Martin Karamon, said he successfully found romance through the cupid cab's services. The relationship ended after about six months, though he and the cab driver stayed in touch.
"I might have to get in his cab again because I just broke up with my girlfriend," said Karamon, 37.
NEW YORK - Finding your better half this Valentine's Day could be as easy as hailing a taxi — especially if Ahmed Ibrahim is in the dr... more -
Ladies Driving Ladies
Forsche is a female only cab service that started operations this year in Bombay.
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Eco-tistical
Are most people concerned about the environment or are they really just concerned about looking like they're concerned about the environment? Are most people concerned about the environment or are they really just concerned about looking like they're concerned about the envir... more
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Floral-patterned taxis in NYC
Kinda sweet. Any bets on how long it takes for New Yorkers to get sick of them?
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Michael Shumacher may be Germany's Fastest Taxi Driver
"Michael Schumacher may well be the fastest taxi driver in Germany after the seven-times world champion shocked a cab driver by taking over the wheel in order to be on time for a flight.
Schumacher, 38, flew into the aerodrome at the Bavarian town of Coburg on Saturday and took a taxi to the village of Gehuelz, 30 kilometres away, to pick up a new puppy - an Australian Shepherd dog called "Ed".
But when the former Formula One ace, plus his wife and two children, caught a taxi back to the airport they were short on time and, after a polite request, cab driver Tuncer Yilmaz watched in wonder as Schumacher took the wheel."
That musta been a cool experience for the cabbie. I've always wondered if race car drivers make for awesome regular car drivers, especially with traffic and what not. "Michael Schumacher may well be the fastest taxi driver in Germany after the seven-times world champion shocked a cab driver by taking... more -
forsche
Forsche is a female only cab service that started operations this year in Bombay.
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Cabbies Told To Smarten Up
More than 80 taxi drivers have signed a petition after being told to smarten their dress or face losing their licenses.
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NYC Taxi Strike
Can NYC survive when ALL the taxis are OFF DUTY?
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Taxis on strike in NYC
Taxi drivers in NYC are on strike against Mayor Bloomberg's new initiative to install GPS tracking devices in all cars that will measure a taxi's fares, trips and location. Too much big brother for drivers and a $5000 cost to install the new technology is leaving the streets a little less yellow today. Taxi drivers in NYC are on strike against Mayor Bloomberg's new initiative to install GPS tracking devices in all cars that will measu... more
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Chicken John for Mayor of SF
Chicken John is a local SF artist with a hat and a mustache. He's running for 2nd place to champion Ranked Choice Voting.
His competition includes a homeless taxicab driver named Grasshopper, a clown, a nudist, and Gavin Newsom.
You can't make this stuff up.
We report. You decide.
Chicken John is a local SF artist with a hat and a mustache. He's running for 2nd place to champion Ranked Choice Voting. ... more -
Taxis Devour Moscow
Ever wonder what it would be like trying to hail a taxi in Moscow?
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Taxi War
Sounds like a great video game, but this is pretty sad
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Take Me Home James!
Had too much too drink? Call a cab. But hows your poor car gonna get home? VC2 producer Alex Simmons has found a company with the answer and a very funny drunk German who should be their poster boy. Had too much too drink? Call a cab. But hows your poor car gonna get home? VC2 producer Alex Simmons has found a company with the ... more
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DC Via Pedicab
Looking for a way to get through the congested streets of the capitol? How about sitting on the back of a bike?
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Pink Power Steering
Pink Ladies is a cab company operated by and for women to provide a safe alternative to the dangers associated with mini cabs.
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