'Taxi Of Tomorrow' Rolls Out In New York City

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- New York City's so-called Taxi of Tomorrow has arrived.

The Nissan NV200 minivan is now the new standard for the city's yellow cabs.

The new design will be phased in as owners retire their cabs, according to the New York Times.

Officials predict 80 percent of the city's 14,000 yellow cabs will eventually be NV200s. Though some owners will still be able to choose from a short list of hybrid and wheelchair-accessible vehicles.

About 750 of the models are currently cruising down city streets.

The NV200 minivan features a sunroof and cellphone-charging outlets.

The phase-in was not without controversy. Wheelchair advocates contend that the minivan's rear ramp access is dangerous.

The new design launched following a court ruling that ended a legal dispute over the vehicle.

(TM and © Copyright 2015 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2015 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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