Toyota Sienna minivans are the alternate vehicle of choice in New York's cab fleet.

The whole cab fleet in operation predominantly consisted of 4-door saloon models with the more practical estate versions (Corolla Fielder, Airwave, V70) being the latest addition.

A coalition of yellow cab fleets petitioned City Hall yesterday for an average 27 percent increase in taxi fares, the first rise in almost six years.

The Yellow Cab Company has now become the largest cab fleet in Brisbane and introduced the first computerised data dispatch from the control room to taxis.

Adding to yellow cab fleet has long been a tricky political issue.

Allan J. Fromberg, a taxi commission spokesman, said that 150 Odysseys have become official members of the yellow cab fleet of 12,053.

Large frame, rear-wheel drive, former police cruisers, available at auctions provide a steady supply for cab fleets.

But Stephen Parker, who works on Wall Street, defended the city's yellow cab fleet.

In a case that affects taxi companies across New York, a state judge has upheld a sales tax imposed on cab fleets that lease their cars to individual drivers.

"It's a vicious cycle," said Ronald Sherman, president of the Metropolitan Taxicab Board of Trade, which represents owners of big yellow cab fleets.