The Early Years: 1907 - 1935 The New York City taxicab had humble beginnings.  When the “traditional” metered, gasoline-powered taxicabs began operating in October 1907, they were in tough competition with other forms of transportation throughout the city. Before the taxicab, New York City transit was dominated by a horse drawn carriage system. To read more, click here.

Regulation and Prosperity: 1935 - 1960 Until 1935, the taxi industry in New York had been made up of unregulated companies fighting for dominance. This all changed during the Great Depression. Widespread poverty prompted many New Yorkers to opt for less expensive forms of transportation, decreasing the demand for taxis, putting many companies out of business, and causing many cabdrivers to lose their jobs. To read more, click here.

The Modern Taxi: 1960 - 2010 In the 1960s, the success and prosperity of the taxi industry was challenged as some new problems emerged. One such issue involved increasing incidences of reported driver discrimination when picking up a passenger, which ostensibly stemmed from drivers' safety concerns. Some historians attribute the rising demand for "gypsy cabs" in boroughs outside of Manhattan to drivers' occasional service refusals. To read more, click here.

Taxi of Yesterday In 2007, City officials convened a group of stakeholders, including representatives of taxi drivers, owners and passengers, to outline the goals of the Taxi of Tomorrow project. In December 2009, the TLC issued a "request for proposals," inviting auto manufacturers and designers to submit their best ideas for a purpose-built vehicle to serve as a New York City taxicab. In early 2010, the City received a diverse group of proposals from automobile manufacturers, designers, and other interested parties offering what they believe would be the vehicle of the future. In November of 2010, the City announced the three finalists: Karsan, Ford and Nissan: and in May 2011 Nissan was selected as the winner of the Taxi of Tomorrow competition.