In the last few months, two companies, Freedom Cab and Checker, have put a total of three wheelchair-accessible taxis on the streets.
In July, lawyer Steve Gold filed a federal suit accusing the Parking Authority, which regulates cabs, of violating the Americans With Disabilities Act.
On Friday, Gold said he was pleased with the authority's announcement.
"Some of the problems are going to come up in the specifics, but 300 accessible taxis in the city would make a major impact," he said.
Parking Authority Executive Director Vince Fenerty said his organization had pushed for wheelchair-accessible cabs for years but had encountered resistance among politicians in Harrisburg and other problems.
The current plan will require review by state regulatory authorities, but Fenerty hopes it will pass.
"We were on this before the lawsuit," he said, then added, "We move slow."
He said he had spent time in a wheelchair as a young man because of a temporary problem, which helped him understand the challenges of transportation for the disabled.
Owners of taxi medallions would pay the cost of compliance. Fenerty believes costs will range from $15,000 to $40,000 per car, depending on whether an owner retrofits an old cab or buys a new one that is already accessible.
He said the Parking Authority would help owners identify grant money to help pay for the expense. He noted that owners seem to be doing well financially. The price of a medallion for a single vehicle has risen from $75,000 in 2005 to $400,000 now because demand has increased and there are fewer gypsy cabs, which do not have medallions, on the streets.
Contact staff writer Miriam Hill at 215-854-5520, hillmb@phillynews.com, or @miriamhill on Twitter.
