June 6, 2025 New York City, NY – After a decade-long legal battle and multiple missed deadlines, New York City has finally reached a significant milestone in transportation accessibility: over 50% of its active yellow taxi fleet is now wheelchair accessible. This landmark achievement, hailed by disability advocates and city officials alike, marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing efforts to ensure equitable transportation options for all New Yorkers.

For years, the iconic yellow cab, a symbol of New York City, remained largely out of reach for individuals relying on wheelchairs or scooters. In 2013, a mere 213 taxis (just over 1.5%) were wheelchair accessible. Today, that number has skyrocketed to 5,140, representing 50.7% of the yellow taxis currently in service, a testament to the persistent advocacy and legal pressure that has reshaped the city's taxi landscape.

A Long Road Traveled: The Journey to 50% Accessibility

This significant step forward is the culmination of a federal class-action lawsuit filed in 2011 by the Taxis For All Campaign, a coalition of disability rights organizations. The landmark 2013 settlement initially mandated that half of the entire fleet of 13,587 taxis be wheelchair accessible by 2020. However, that deadline, and a subsequent 2023 extension, came and went.

The journey was fraught with challenges. The rise of app-based ride-hailing services like Uber significantly impacted the value of taxi medallions, making it difficult for medallion owners to invest in costly accessible vehicles. The COVID-19 pandemic further exacerbated the situation, leading to thousands of cabs being taken off the road and stored.

"When I first started, almost three years ago at the peak of the pandemic, there were about 7,000 vehicles that were in storage, or half of the medallion fleet," said David Do, TLC Commissioner and Chairperson. "So we’ve made great strides in recovery, but the medallion fleet still has not recovered."

Judicial Oversight and a Renewed Push for Progress

Federal Judge George Daniels, who has overseen the case, initially praised the 2013 settlement, likening it to Jackie Robinson breaking baseball's color barrier. However, as deadlines slipped, Judge Daniels expressed his frustration, scolding the Taxi & Limousine Commission (TLC) and ordering both sides to devise a new strategy to meet the 50% target.

This renewed push included a crucial enforcement order from August 2024, mandating that all new taxis entering service be wheelchair accessible. The TLC also restructured the Taxi Improvement Fund, providing much-needed financial assistance to medallion owners facing the substantial costs of converting to wheelchair-accessible vehicles, which can approach $100,000 per vehicle.

"That’s just for the vehicle, the retrofitting with the ramp, painting the car," explained Bhairavi Desai, president of the New York Taxi Workers Alliance, highlighting the significant financial burden on drivers.

"Hallelujah, We've Made It This Far!"

For disability rights advocates, this achievement is a cause for celebration. "This is real progress and there’s no doubt about it," said Joseph Rappaport of the Taxis For All Campaign. "So you can’t help but say, ‘Hallelujah, we’ve made it this far after so many fits and starts.’"

The impact on individuals with disabilities is profound. "I never thought I would be able to get into an accessible cab," shared Milagros Franco, 49, a motorized wheelchair user. "Everyone usually takes it for granted that they have options to go on transportation."

Looking Ahead: The Road to Full Accessibility

While the 50% milestone for on-duty cabs is a monumental achievement, the journey towards full accessibility continues. The TLC still faces another deadline in 2028: making 50% of the entire yellow taxi fleet – including those currently in storage – wheelchair accessible.

"We have a little bit more work to go and we’re going to meet the deadline in three years," Commissioner Do affirmed.

Despite the slow pace, the sentiment among disability advocates remains one of gratitude and optimism. "It was a pain that it took as long as it did," said Dustin Jones, a wheelchair user and disability rights advocate. "But in the disability community, when you get something, it’s better late than never."

Jones also paid tribute to Edith Prentiss, a tireless advocate who was instrumental in the Taxis for All Campaign from its inception in the 1990s until her passing in 2021. "Without her, this would not happen," he emphasized. "And I wish she was alive to see it."

This hard-won victory underscores the power of persistent advocacy and legal action in driving meaningful social change. As New York City moves closer to a fully accessible transportation system, the increased availability of wheelchair-friendly yellow cabs offers a renewed sense of freedom and independence for countless individuals with disabilities.