From the Chicago Dispatcher, June 18, 2008

An All-Hybrid Taxi Fleet?
Aldermen Tom Allen and Edward Burke submit ordinance proposal requiring all new or replacement Chicago taxis to be hybrid or alternative-fuel vehicles starting in 2009

By: Jonathan Bullington

First, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced his plan to convert every taxi in his city to hybrid vehicles by 2012, now two Chicago aldermen want to do the same here.

At a City Council hearing last week, Alderman Tom Allen (38th) and Alderman Edward Burke (14th) introduced an ordinance proposal calling for all new or replacement taxis to be hybrid or alternative-fuel vehicles, starting on January 1, 2009, with the goal of having all 6,700 Chicago taxicabs converted to “green” vehicles by 2014.

Under their plan, vehicles must be hybrids or be powered by alternative fuels, such as compressed natural gas, biodiesel, propane or hydrogen.

In a press release issued by Alderman Burke's office, Alderman Allen is quoted as saying the following:

“During a time of rising fuel costs, the savings would be significant at the pump for Chicago cabbies.”

In the same release, Alderman Burke touts the environmental and economic benefits of this proposed legislation.

“By switching to all-hybrid fleets, the City of Chicago would lower emissions, reduce costs at the pump paid by cabbies and possibly hold down future fare hikes,” Alderman Burke said.

The ordinance proposal specifies that medallions for these new hybrid or alternative-fuel vehicles will be known as the “green medallion,” and will be green in color.

The concern amongst some owners is that the cost of making this switch will be too great to bear.

“I think it's a good idea,” said fleet owner Larry Ionescu, “as long as it's submitted with the means to pay for it. Instead of paying 14 or 15 thousand dollars for a new car, we'll have to pay $20,000. Where are we going to get that money?”

Ionescu believes owners should be able to transfer the cost of these new vehicles to their customers in the form of a lease-cap increase, “maybe $25 or $30 more,” he said.

When asked about the financial burden this ordinance proposal could place on owners, Donal Quinlan, medial liaison for Alderman Burke, said those concerns could be voiced at hearings on the ordinance.

“The large cab companies are very profitable,” Quinlan said, “so we don't see a problem there. “In the case of single owner-operators, this legislation will be phased in over five years,” meaning that the fuel savings and potential for a decrease in the price of hybrids or alternative-fuel vehicles could ease any financial worries.

Department of Consumer Services Commissioner Norma Reyes could not be reached for comment regarding this ordinance proposal.

Wait until you see the lease onthese babies?

Get a meter increase.

Get big juicy meter raise like Arlignton Heights just went from $2.40 to $4.00 per flag pull.

That is only a 167% increase!

They raised themileage from $1.40 to $2.00.

That is only a 143% higher per mile.

Talk to Bill Dixon, Arlingtomn Heights Village Manager.

Also see Daily Herald 6/17/08 -- (dailyherald.com) Ms. Sjeila Ahern's story "Arligton Heights OKs increas in fares".

Gas prices ares till going up. Can hybrids save us from the City Hall?

Does anyone know how much leases have gone up on hybrids in NY?

I heard that to cover both acquisition and replacement costs of the battery system lease could go up $10 per shift.

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Replying to:

Wait until you see the lease onthese babies?

Get a meter increase.

Get big juicy meter raise like Arlignton Heights just went from $2.40 to $4.00 per flag pull.

That is only a 167% increase!

They raised themileage from $1.40 to $2.00.

That is only a 143% higher per mile.

Talk to Bill Dixon, Arlingtomn Heights Village Manager.

Also see Daily Herald 6/17/08 -- (dailyherald.com) Ms. Sjeila Ahern's story "Arligton Heights OKs increas in fares".

Gas prices ares till going up. Can hybrids save us from the City Hall?

The $4 is for the first mile.

It has been for years when the flag is $2.00. The village wants the meter count $0.40 at the end of the first mile.

Now, it is just about right.

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Replying to:

Wait until you see the lease onthese babies?

Get a meter increase.

Get big juicy meter raise like Arlignton Heights just went from $2.40 to $4.00 per flag pull.

That is only a 167% increase!

They raised themileage from $1.40 to $2.00.

That is only a 143% higher per mile.

Talk to Bill Dixon, Arlingtomn Heights Village Manager.

Also see Daily Herald 6/17/08 -- (dailyherald.com) Ms. Sjeila Ahern's story "Arligton Heights OKs increas in fares".

Gas prices ares till going up. Can hybrids save us from the City Hall?

It's incredible how the latest increses of the gas prices are making "waves" !!! Can just somebody chill out and think that a meter increse will only make the few customers that are hard to find already will disapear almost completely. You will wait for the tourist and the people participating at some conventions to take cabs and pray that you will be able to pay the lease every week. Its bad guys, whatever you think of. Hybrids are welcome but the maintanence on them will be more expensive and the lease will be higher. Good luck anyway. I just think that the fuel surcharge should be included in the flag poll and thats it. We are ready for the hybrids.

I would rather take food out of my children's mouths than make my customers pay more for their ride.

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Replying to:

It's incredible how the latest increses of the gas prices are making "waves" !!! Can just somebody chill out and think that a meter increse will only make the few customers that are hard to find already will disapear almost completely. You will wait for the tourist and the people participating at some conventions to take cabs and pray that you will be able to pay the lease every week. Its bad guys, whatever you think of. Hybrids are welcome but the maintanence on them will be more expensive and the lease will be higher. Good luck anyway. I just think that the fuel surcharge should be included in the flag poll and thats it. We are ready for the hybrids.