Two cars come to mind when you think of New York City yellow cabs: the Checker Taxi, and the Ford Crown Victoria. Just as the former aged off the Big Apple’s streets, so shall the latter, as the final two examples face decommissioning.
Per Taxi and Limousine Commission rules, New York City cabs shouldn’t be on the road for more than seven years. Things changed a bit during the pandemic, when extensions were handed, which allowed certain taxis to stay on the road longer than expected.
However, the final two Crown Victorias, put into service in 2011 and 2013, have managed to stay on the road a little longer than that because their drivers skipped their taxi inspections in recent months, reports the New York Times. Now, the drivers are being summoned for hearings.
Read: This Guy Owns More Ford Crown Victorias Than You Can Ever Imagine
The younger car is owned by Haroon Abdullah, and has driven 491,000 miles (790,188 km) over the course of its time in service. The older one is owned by Ravinder Sharma, who has driven it 550,000 miles (885,139 km), enough to circle the equator 22 times.
Both vehicles have passed their state inspections, but the drivers knew that their cars’ meters would have been seized if they had showed up for their taxi inspections, prompting them to delay the meeting for as long as possible.
Abdullah said he wanted to replace his Crown Victoria with a Toyota Sienna, but he can’t quite afford the down payment. Meanwhile, Sharma, 64, said he just wants to keep his car on the road for another couple of months, while he waits to turn 65, so that they can retire together.
“I’m thinking if they allow me to drive, I drive,” said Sharma. “If not, I did 35 years.”
However, it’s unclear if the commission will be patient with the drivers. The fine for failing to inspect their vehicle could be up to $500 and a suspension of their licenses. Even though the cars are the last of their kind, and commission spokesman Jason Kersten admitted that he remembers them fondly, he said they have to go.
“As it was with the Model Ts, Checkers and Caprices before them, their final act of safety must be a well-earned retirement,” said Kersten.
