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Saw a Gen III Taxi in NYC

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by CapeAnn, Dec 18, 2009.

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  1. CapeAnn

    CapeAnn Member

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    I step out the door and see a brand-spanking new Gen III Prius picking up a ride. The driver was grinning. All I could imagine was - why hadn't they done this years ago!!!! Saw that there was plenty of room in the back for two adults and a kid. Plenty of room up front too.

    The cost saving to the operator has to be more than significant, and to those denizens (like me) who hustle their way about town - relief from the noxious gases that envelop the rats living in a megalopolis.

    I'll try to capture a shot sometime in the near future. It'll be like hunting a gazelle amidst all the water buffalo (Ford Crown Victoria)
     
    #1 CapeAnn, Dec 18, 2009
  2. Boo

    Boo Boola Boola Member

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    Yes, I've seen one a couple of times too. They're rare. You see many more Gen II's around like this:

    [​IMG]

    There would be a lot more Prius taxis around if the fleet owners weren't successful in getting the Federal Court to strike down Mayor Bloomberg's 2008 and 2009 attempts to impose minimum gas mileage requirements for new taxis in NYC.

    There is a PriusChatter here who owns and drives a Gen III 2010 Prius NYC taxi. I wish he would post pictures of his. I wouldn't be surprised if that was his Gen III taxi that you and I saw.
     
    #2 Boo, Dec 18, 2009
    2 people like this.
  3. CapeAnn

    CapeAnn Member

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    That's a nice shot. Thanks for the info. on fleet owners try to put a damper on eco vehicles. I am not surprised as New York City politics tends to work in reverse, not putting much regard to quality of life issues.

    Maybe, I get lucky and see that lone Gen III out there?

    Cheers,

    CapeAnn
     
    #3 CapeAnn, Dec 18, 2009
  4. SlowTurd

    SlowTurd I LIKE PRIUS'S

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    it'll be fun when he and his passengers hit a pothole
     
    #4 SlowTurd, Dec 18, 2009
  5. sciguy125

    sciguy125 Junior Member

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    There's a fair number of Gen II taxis in the San Jose area. I saw a Gen III several weeks ago. Granted, there's lots of non-taxi Prius here (I'm estimating 1 in 15 cars, more in certain areas).
     
    #5 sciguy125, Dec 19, 2009
  6. Erikon

    Erikon Active Member

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    Good for the taxi companies doing this! I wonder if they drive on tires kept a little softer than most of us, to soak up the bumps more?
     
    #6 Erikon, Dec 19, 2009
  7. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    and what looks to be a Highlander Hybrid next to the Prius!
     
    #7 Tideland Prius, Dec 19, 2009
  8. fjpod

    fjpod Member

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    The most common hybrid taxi in NYC is the Ford Escape. I would estimate that 20% of all taxis are Ford Escape Hybrids.
     
    #8 fjpod, Dec 19, 2009
  9. energyandair

    energyandair Active Member

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    I've been seeing the occasional Gen 3 taxi around here but nearly all taxis are currently Gen 2 Prius. Its getting rare to see any taxi that is not a Prius.
     
    #9 energyandair, Dec 19, 2009
  10. Much More Better

    Much More Better Active Member

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    Here in Winnipeg too. More often than not, it is a Gen II. Saw one Gen III.
     
    #10 Much More Better, Dec 20, 2009
  11. Jim Clark

    Jim Clark Member

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    Don't remember seeing a single Prius taxi here in northern VA.
     
    #11 Jim Clark, Dec 20, 2009
  12. Boo

    Boo Boola Boola Member

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    Last minute Christmas shopping today in Chinatown and Soho.

    Spotted a Gen III taxi stopped at a traffic light on Grand Street and Broadway. The taxi was all dirty from black road slush from this week's snow -- hardly ready for its close-up. But I took these photos anyway:

    [IMGLINK]http://priuschat.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=20683&d=1261694905[/IMGLINK]

    [IMGLINK]http://priuschat.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=20684&d=1261694905[/IMGLINK]

    [IMGLINK]http://priuschat.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=20685&d=1261694905[/IMGLINK]

    [IMGLINK]http://priuschat.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=20686&d=1261694931[/IMGLINK]

    [IMGLINK]http://priuschat.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=20687&d=1261694959[/IMGLINK]
     

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    #12 Boo, Dec 24, 2009
    3 people like this.
  13. GrumpyCabbie

    GrumpyCabbie Senior Member

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    Glad to see the proof. One of the reasons I got my GenIII was that if NYC cabbies had them then they must be good :)

    [​IMG]

    Apologies for the poor picture but was taken on a friends phone one quiet day. Will arrange some nicer ones soon :)
     
    #13 GrumpyCabbie, Dec 24, 2009
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  14. ibmindless

    ibmindless Member

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    I'm glad you explained that was road grime. Knowing how some NYC cabbies drive, I thought it might be brake dust. ;)
     
    #14 ibmindless, Dec 24, 2009
  15. GrumpyCabbie

    GrumpyCabbie Senior Member

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    Couple recent pics of my cab :)

    [​IMG]


    [​IMG]



    Oh, I can't get my pics to show - whats up?
     
    #15 GrumpyCabbie, Dec 27, 2009
  16. neilz

    neilz Member

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    Here is the NYC Taxi list of approved vehicles.

    Taxicab Vehicles In Use
    [​IMG][​IMG]
    The Following Vehicles are Currently in Use as New York City Taxicabs
    2009-Ford Crown Victoria Stretch
    2009-Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid
    2009-Saturn Aura Hybrid
    2009-Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid
    2009-Volkswagen Jetta Clean Diesel Sedan
    2009-Lexus RX400h
    2009-Toyota Camry Hybrid
    2009-Toyota Prius-48 mpg city
    2009-Toyota Highlander Hybrid (4WD)
    2009-Saturn Vue Greenline
    2009-Nissan Altima Hybrid
    2009-Ford Escape Hybrid (2WD)
    2009-Mercury Mariner Hybrid (AWD)
    2010-Camry Hybrid
    2010-Prius
    2010-Highlander Hybrid
    2010-Ford Crown Victoria Stretch
    2010-Ford Escape Hybrid (2WD)


    The following are the approved for use as Wheelchair Accessible Taxicabs:
    2007-Eclipse Mobility Dodge Caravan
    2007-Eldorado National Mobility Chevrolet Uplander
    2007-2008 Autovan Toyota Sienna
    2007-2008 Freedom Motors Toyota Sienna Kneelvan
    2008-2009 Freedom Motors Toyota Sienna Kneelvan
    Additional vehicle models come on the market from time to time that may comply with TLC rules. Any questions about a vehicle model not listed above, or about any vehicle retirement issue, should be referred to TLC hack site at (718) 267-4501.
     
    #16 neilz, Dec 27, 2009
  17. 32kcolors

    32kcolors Senior Member

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    The blacked out rear wheels look cool.
     
    #17 32kcolors, Dec 27, 2009
  18. DaveShepherd

    DaveShepherd Member

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    Use the paper-clip icon in the top line of the reply window to attach your JPG files to your post. Then they'll show up as thumbnails, which a user can click and enlarge. It works automatically.

    The icon is between the Undo button and the Smilies button on the reply window.
     
    #18 DaveShepherd, Dec 27, 2009
  19. GrumpyCabbie

    GrumpyCabbie Senior Member

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    What you mean like this;

    [​IMG]
     
    #19 GrumpyCabbie, Dec 30, 2009
    1 person likes this.
  20. Jim Clark

    Jim Clark Member

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    With the number of miles taxis drive each year (100k-200k+?), Toyota reliability, and excellent room for people and bags, the Prius seems like a no-brainer for that business.

    Do they actually make a taxi-specific version of the Prius? Tough vinyl seats, tough rubber floor covering (rather than carpet), bullet-proof partitions, etc?
     
    #20 Jim Clark, Dec 30, 2009
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