Yellow Cabs illuminated against a black & white Times Square in down town New York. The medallion yellow cabs were first painted yellow in 1967 to stop unlicensed cabs picking up fares. There are over 13,000 yellow cabs operating in New York. Over three quarters of all the drivers are foreign born with nearly a quarter coming from the Caribbean. In an environmental drive over a third of New York Taxis are now hybrid Cars. The yellow taxis have featured in many movies and shows, with Bruce Willis driving a jet powered New York taxi in the film The Fifth Element.