The latest ‘Taxi of Tomorrow’ was unveiled in New York City last night to much fanfare, although it left many with a distinct feeling of déjà vu, and not without cause. It’s because the Mayor and Nissan have already revealed their so-called ‘taxi of tomorrow’, on November 1st last year–you didn’t imagine it, it really happened.

If they revealed this ‘taxi of tomorrow’ already, why did they re-reveal it last night? Confused? You’re not the only one.

Well, here’s the short version; Disability Rights Advocates (a non-profit legal centered dedicated to civil rights for people with disabilities) brought the City to court over the initial taxi of tomorrow–arguing that the taxi’s design violated ADA regulations, and guess what? They won.

You can get the whole rundown on the issue in AXS Map’s video blog.

The Judge mandated that until a detailed proposal was forthcoming, for “meaningful” long-term access to those with disabilities, the City could not move forward with it’s outer-borough taxi plan.

Since then the City have appealed and the case goes to court on April 19th. With a  court case looming, you would be forgiven for thinking that the City and the Taxi and Limousine Commission, would want to keep a low profile on the issue. How wrong you could be; last nights  ticker tape launch for for a new taxi that is still not accessible.

At this stage, the City and the Mayor’s ignorance and apparent fixation on releasing an inaccessible taxi cab for New York City, is there for all to see.

“If he wants to be a true visionary, Mayor Bloomberg should end his administration’s appeal of our lawsuit and agree to a 100 percent accessible fleet,” said Edith Prentiss, chair of the Taxi for All campaign, “If it can be done in London, where every taxi now is accessible, it can be done in New York.”