Testimonials
San Francisco
We are very pleased with the ford escape hybrid.
Especially our drivers love the cars since they pay 60% less
for gas. The cars have great visibility and are easy to navigate in the busy San Francisco traffic. The
cars
are very comfortable and we have had no complaints from our customers.
- Sheldon, Yellow Cab San Francisco.
So far we are happy. The first batch of 10 which were 2005's just hit 100,000 miles and still work well.
No major problems. The drivers love them cause of the mileage savings but that all goes in their pockets.
The companies get nothing except a little good press and good will but no way to recover the $4000-$5000
difference in price. Anyway, as far as holding up, I have to give them a thumbs up so far.
- Hal, Yellow Cab San Francisco.
Vancouver
For almost five years,
I have operated three Toyota Priuses as a Yellow Cab--with no failures. The first
Prius, a 2001 model, was put on the road Nov. 1, 2000, and acquired 200,000 miles in 25 months. The components
that did wear out were not hybrid related components. The current 2004 Prius that is on as a Yellow Cab in
Vancouver B.C. Canada just passed 240,000 miles and still no major repairs.
Concerning how the public received the Prius as a taxi - they were amazed how much space is in the car and how
quiet the interior of the car is. Also how much leg room the back seats have with both front seats all the way back.
From a tip perspective I found when people realized what type of vehicle they were in and how the car is designed
for minimal environmental impact they would tip you even more, would even ask if they could phone the cab directly
for their future taxi rides. Let all the different environmental industry related companies ranging from Green Peace
to Alternative Energy companies know that you are using a Prius as a taxi, they will want to use your services and
book in advance. If you already have some personal clients phoning you directly you will definitely be getting
more when you now are operating a Prius. I would contact your local news paper if you are the first Prius Taxi
in your area. I did that when I put the first Prius on and found that it helped raise public awareness. The first 3
years I was the only one with a Prius. The past 3 years at Yellow Cab of Vancouver, it now has 42 Prius taxi's
on the road out of a total of 208 taxi's in it's fleet. Gasoline is now $1.13 CDN per/ liter. The average mileage
per 12 hour shift is between 250-350 kms per/shift. The average amount of fuel the regular taxi uses between
35-55 liters per/shift. The average Prius her will use between 10-15 liters per/shift -
an average of 4 times less gas.
- Andrew, Yellow Cab, Vancouver BC.
San Antonio
I currently have the only hybrid taxi in San Antonio. I rolled out my car on 1 dec 05 and it now sits on 25000 miles.
It have done wonders for me and all the customers love the car. I am currently get between 46-50 mpg each day and my gas saving helps my bottom line
since I am an independent contractor. Last month my fuel cost for the
month was $265 compared to another cab in our fleet traveling the same miles they spent $780 - a savings of more than $500. So its a big difference!
- Paul, Yellow/Checker Cab San Antonio.