Anyone Seen a Prius v Taxicab yet?

The v has not yet been released here in Australia, and I do not know whether it will the the 7 seater version or just the version that you have in North America, or both. If it is the 7 seater version, then it will fail to meet the minimum requirements for a taxi, and thus will not be able to be used. If it is the NA version, then I think that they will be considered, especially as the current Ford wagon used in taxi fleets is no longer being built.

As GC said, in the taxi business, the drivers pay for the fuel, while the owners are more interested in the initial capital costs, and the on-going maintenance costs. The first Prius put into service here in Sydney was a lemon - they had all sorts of problems and a lot of time off the road, even though a lot of the repairs were under warrenty. It soured the idea for a lot of people. Also, the base cost of the alternative vehicle, bought second hand, was half the price of a Prius.

I, like GC, am an owner/driver, so I am more interested in total costs, but I am trying to prove to others that the maintenance costs are also lower, but it will take time for the proof to actually happen.

 

The 7 seat version might not comply here either, or should I say it might not comply in most jurisdictions because there is no immediate access to a door for the 2 passengers at the back. The Prius V might be a better bet but isn't sold here.

The main reason you won't see any Prius+ cabs in the UK is that at £26,200/US$42,400 (inc 20% vat), it is just way too expensive. You'd need your head looking if you bought one at that price! A new Ford or Vauxhall Wagon can be had for about £18,500, and second hand 6 month old ex demos can be had for about £13,000!

Toyota UK have decided Toyota is a premium brand and stuck their prices too high lately.

 

I spoke with the CEO of a local cab company here in AZ that was first to introduce Prius cars to their fleet (and they have already released the V into the fleet) The CEO said it is a no-brainer and that gas isn't the only reason. With the Prius they said that the cost of maintenance was about $0.02 per mile vs almost $0.10 with their old fleet. That alone pays for the car in a matter of no time. The gas savings is just a bonus - and the only complaint of the older Prius was space for cargo - the V should fix that issue for most cabbies.

 

I have now seen the first Prius v taxi in Sydney. Have seen it twice so far, but never in a position to check with the driver as to whether it is designated as a 4 passenger taxi or a 6 passenger. We had a Toyota rep showing off the v to members of our taxi group a couple of weeks ago. They are now offering a $3,000 discount if bought for use as a taxi . But it does mean that the number of Prius taxis here in Sydney are on the increase.

 

I'm driving one. Any questions, feel free to ask.

 

Spotted the v taxi at a set of lights yesterday and was able to pull up next to it. Was able to attract the drivers attention and asked him whether the car was licenced for 4 or 6 passengers - answer 6 passengers, so it appears that, at present, the rear two seats are being accepted as full adult seats. Did not get a chance to ask whether he has had 6 passengers in the cab yet, and how it performed, but will plan to ask that next time I see it.

 

How are you two finding business these days? It's dire here, both Socrates and I are/were earning the same sort of money for a 10+ hour shift; about $60 a day before costs. Just wonder if it's a Europe issue or a worldwide taxi issue.

 

Certainly business is down here in Australia. However, can still pull in a reasonable income per day - approx $350 per shift, before costs, and I am saving approx $25 per day on the cost of fuel versus the LPG costs for the average Sydney taxi. It is not as bad as the early '90s where drivers were paying for the privilege of driving a 12 hour shift - that is, paying for the car but not earning enough to cover their costs (most drivers rent their car from a fleet owner), but I have heard of a couple of instances where people have got close to that mark.

Luckily, I do not have to live off my takings - I have a pension that pays for our daily living expenses, so the income from the cab will pay for holiday trips (although these have been put on the back burner while I pay for both my daughters' weddings - at approx $40,000 per wedding).

 

I'm assuming thats Aussie $'s? So $350A is £228 per day? Wow, that's pretty good. I used to get that on a good one here apart from Fri and Sat nights which were much better.

I didn't realise things were bad in Oz. I know well about the paying for my shift. You'd get the odd day like that but more than make up for it the next, but it got to the case where you'd not cover your costs for 5/6 days for weeks on end. Not conducive to a happy driver - hence I'm grumpy lol.

 

I see loads of v taxis in NYC.

 

Flew to Charlotte and the airport taxi was a Prius v. Nice back seat ride.

Bob Wilson

 

it's very common here in Ottawa, maybe about half of the Prius taxi's are v's (lowercase v for the Prius v wagon) here

 

Same here in Vancouver. It's a mix: 2nd gen, 3rd gen, v's.

 

New York photo (post 19)...mag wheels and fog lights make it a series 5.
For a taxi....Softex "leather"?...I would have thought a series 1 or 2 would be a better taxi.

v rear seats are good adult passenger seats.
Plus great trunk for airport luggage.
Good be a great taxi.
Maybe the series 5 safety radar package extra cost is worth it in NY traffic?

Thanks for this thread...interesting read.

 

I've seen lots of v taxis here in LA. I drove mine for Uber/Lyft for several months, too. No issues with hills, loads or anything else. It's really the ideal car for this purpose.

 

It was a vroom-vroom trip from Buckhead to ATL in the back seat of a v taxi that cinched the v for a purchase.

 

I've seen many prius v taxi's here in sac area. Even seen brand spanking new 4th gen prius taxi's.

I still can't stand the look of 4th gen. It's actually ugly to us. The rear mainly.