Mayor Bloomberg Opposes Making All Cabs Wheelchair Accessible
NEW YORK (WCBS 880) - Mayor Michael Bloomberg is pushing back against federal efforts to make more New York City taxis able to handle the needs of the handicapped.
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"If we were to insist on all cabs being wheelchair accessible, they sell for about $15,000 more," said Bloomberg. "Their suspension is much worse. So, the average person riding in them finds them really uncomfortable."
Bloomberg also said that they use a lot more gas.
In addition, Bloomberg commented on the practicality of disabled people getting cabs.
"If you're in a wheelchair, it's really hard to go out in the street and hail down a cab and get the cab to pull over and get into it," said Bloomberg.
His Honor said a better answer is for those using wheelchairs to be able to make a phone call to have a specially equipped taxi dispatched.
The U.S. Attorney says that when it comes to taxis, the city is not complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Gov. Andrew Cuomo believes the same might apply to livery cabs.
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