I see the "Euro Taxi" all the time. Taxi Service Santa Monica, Santa Monica Cab Company, Environmentally Friendly Taxis
That's because you live in the Palisades. Nearby Santa Monica probably has the only cab company(ies) using the Prius. I also see green painted ones. Same owner? Dumb Mike
i don't go into NYC that often, maybe once a year. this weekend i was amazed how many yellow gen III prius were running around. .
I saw one yesterday on the 210 east of Pasadena. Black and yellow, City Cab Co. #688. I've seen them in Santa Barbara, too. Lots more Crown Vics, but there are Priuscabs in LA.
I am not regretting my decision to buy a Prius at all, but I am a little alarmed that the vehicle's max load is only 875lbs. that only leaves about 600 pounds for the family and their luggage. I won't be able to take as large loads as I can in the Vic. Might even have to balk at 4 large adults, especially with luggage. I doubt this will give me much trouble, but when it does I'll have to call another taxi. Not the end of the world, really
There's a large fleet of CNG cabs here that qualify for HOV stickers. It may not output as less CO2 per mile as a Prius does, but CNG is economical and lessens our dependence on foreign oil. Almost all of our large buses are LNG. They're slow and always take the carpool lane. Sometimes it's not bad to get stuck behind one in a Prius . Clean exhaust (way better than diesel) and it's pushing the air for me :rockon:.
Next time your in SoCal, stop by Glendale. We have at least 3 that I have seen. 1 - Lime Green, very hard to miss. 2 - Orange, and #3, a traditional Yellow Cab color. I will update when I get photos of the shifty beasts!!
I worried about that when I got my cab and even incorporated such losses into my calculations, but they were unfounded - I have only had to turn away 2 jobs in nearly 18 months. You'll be surprised what you can fit into the rear of a Prius, esp if you use the under floor compartment. Is the back seat a little narrow? Yes a little even compared to our smaller European cars so will be much smaller than a Ford Vic but you'll get other types of business. I find students and people in their 20's love the Prius but also lots of affluent customers too as well as the odd 'greeny'. But as we all know - money is money.
Oh... when we were in San Pedro, at the port, waiting for our airport shuttle, I noticed a whole lot of bright yellow Prius taxis... LA has a good supply of them, it appears! :thumb:
There are (I think) three cabs in my area. One of them is a silver pine mica gen II Prius. I am so proud...