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Boston Cabbies Torqued Ovah Hybrid Cah Mandate

Pricey hybrids a problem in Beantown

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Sep 4, 2008 1:35 PM CDT
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(Newser) – Boston’s cab drivers are furious over a new rule requiring all taxis to be hybrids by 2015, Wired reports. With rising gas prices already pressing the industry, cabbies are loathe to trade their $6,000 used Crown Vics for new $24,000 Priuses. Many also argue that the hybrids aren’t tough enough to do the job. But an unsympathetic city isn’t budging.

Boston isn’t alone. New York City cabbies have to go hybrid by 2012, and San Francisco’s fleet has to cut emissions by 50%. And while Beantown’s cabbies must deal with an increasing flood of bureaucratic regulations —they cannot, for example, wear sweatpants or T-shirts —they also command a higher rate than counterparts in New York, San Francisco, Chicago, or Miami.

A cab driver fills his taxi at a gas station, Monday, May 12, 2008.
A cab driver fills his taxi at a gas station, Monday, May 12, 2008.   (AP Photo/Jin Lee)
A detail of a hybrid taxi cab is photographed outside New York's City Hall Wednesday, July 16, 2008.
A detail of a hybrid taxi cab is photographed outside New York's City Hall Wednesday, July 16, 2008.   (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)
A taxi cab fills up at a gas station, Monday, May 12, 2008.
A taxi cab fills up at a gas station, Monday, May 12, 2008.   (AP Photo/Jin Lee)
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Cabbies blast hybrid rule
Boston Globe

Mayor Menino defends the rule
Somerville (Mass.) Journal

Boston raises already-high cab fares
Boston Herald

Technology • Green • US

 
energy • environment • Boston • taxi • hybrid car • taxi driver

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