Outer borough street hails get green light

From the NY Post:

The state Court of Appeals handed Mayor Bloomberg a major victory today by clearing the way for a new taxi system in the outer boroughs to allow street hails.

The yellow cab industry had sued to block the plan, claiming the administration had not gotten approval with the City Council before getting the green light in Albany.

"We conclude that the HAIL Act addresses a matter of substantial State concern. This is not a purely local issue," Judge Eugene F. Pigott Jr. wrote in his decision. "Millions of people from within and without the State visit the City annually. Some of these visitors are disabled, and will undoubtedly benefit from the increase in accessible vehicles in the Manhattan central business district and in the outer boroughs. The Act is for the benefit of all New Yorkers, and not merely those residing within the City."

The appeals court decision also allows the city to proceed with the sale of $1 billion of new taxi medallions.

The new system would create a new class of taxicabs in the outer boroughs and northern Manhattan, to supplement the yellow taxicabs which can cruise anywhere but mostly operate in Midtown and downtown Manhattan.

Many of the current livery cab drivers are expected to join the new livery system and pick up street hails in the outer boroughs. Legally, they can only pick up by appointment but the law is widely flouted.