Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Why no hybrid taxi cabs in Frederick Maryland?

"Like it or not, high gas prices are here to stay. Naturally, this uncomfortable reality has begun shaping our vehicle purchases."

This is the opening line from a website ranked highest in Google for "most fuel efficient cars in usa"

http://www.edmunds.com/reviews/list/top10/125477/article.html

Top 10 Most Fuel-Efficient Sedans of 2008
By Warren Clarke, Automotive Content Editor


With the bulk of Taxi cab driver income coming from runs to BWI airport, one would think that cab companies would be racing to purchase fuel efficient cars...

Using EPA's combined fuel economy formula: 55 percent of city mpg rating plus 45 percent of highway mpg rating, Edmunds.com rated the following cars this way:


  • #10 Kia Rio — 25/35*




  • #9 Nissan Versa — 27/33*




  • #8 Honda Civic — 25/36*




  • #7 Toyota Corolla — 28/37




  • #6 Honda Fit — 28/34




  • #5 Toyota Yaris — 29/36




  • #4 Toyota Camry Hybrid — 33/34*




  • #3 Nissan Altima Hybrid — 35/33*




  • #2 Honda Civic Hybrid — 40/45*




  • #1 Toyota Prius — 48/45*




  • I'm guessing if it gets real, REAL cold this winter and heating oil prices drive up the price of gasoline... Maryland Cab companies that make BWI airport runs as their bread n butter (cash cow) will run out and buy some Toyota Prius's and paint them yellow!

    (wondering what the plural of Prius is??? Prii ??)

    In last month's edition of http://frederickchristian.com I saw a 'General Interest' page touting this:

    Smart ForTwo

    "Smart ForTwo is hte tiniest car sold in the U.S."

    "Detroit's Penske Automotive Group is offering the French-made Smart ForTwo car marketed by Daimler Chrysler. It's a rear engine two seat model that is less than 9 feet long. Two of them could fit into a parallel parking spot, making it the tiniest car sold in the USA"


    This is very unlikely to be used as a Cab... inside room/ trunk space requirements considered... but let the price of gas go up to $6 and $7 a gallon and I'll bet that will get re-thought!

    Reliable Airport Transportation call

    240 626-1147 

    40 years experience in the taxi industry Seaven Gordon

    Tuesday, October 7, 2008

    Where to complain about bad service in Mont Co MD

    Taxicabs in Montgomery County are regulated by the Department of Public Works and Transportation and operate under established standards 24 Hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year

    Montgomery County issues licenses for wheelchair accessible vehicles that meet Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements. There is no additional charge for an accessible taxicab. Accessible taxicabs should be requested in advance.


    Montgomery County Department of Transportation


    Division of Transit Services

    Montgomery County Taxicab Unit
    101 Monroe Street, 5th Floor
    Rockville, Maryland 20850
    (240) 777-CABS (2227)
    E-mail Address:
    Taxi.office@montgomerycountymd.gov

    Monday - Thursday

    8:30 a.m. - 12:00 noon


    ===================

    Having a Problem with Taxicab Service?

    We hope you are happy with the service. When you are dissatisfied, call the company and report the problem along with the taxicab number as soon as possible after the incident, to insure a prompt resolution.

    If you are still not satisfied, let us know.

    Complaints can be submitted by any one of the following methods listed below:

    Taxicab Hotline- 240-777-2625 Hours/Days: 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m., Monday - Friday
    On-line - go on line and fill out the complaint form at www.montgomerycountymd.gov/taxihotline
    E-mail - send an e-mail with specifics of the problem to taxi.office@montgomerycountymd.gov
    US Mail - send a letter with specifics of the problem to: Montgomery County Division of Transit Services, Taxicab Office, 101 Monroe Street, 5th floor, Rockville, MD 20850
    All complaints should include:

    The taxicab number (The taxicab number can be found on both sides of the vehicle on the trunk and on the information pack inside the vehicle).
    The company name.
    The trip date and time.
    A specific description of the problem.
    Your name, address and a phone number where you can be contacted.

    Information from the official Montgomery County Md website:

    http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/tsvtmpl.asp?url=/content/DOT/transit/taxi_reg/taxi_user.asp#7

    Friday, October 3, 2008

    Can your company keep good people?

    I used to hear taxicab customers complain occaisionally about a cab driver or dispatcher being rude or short or sarcastic with them.

    In the taxi industry, it used to be difficult to keep conscientious employees.

    Think about YOUR industry, is it hard to keep motivated workers? Especially if we're talking about the ranks of the lower salaried employees!

    That tide is now changing!

    More and more workers are hunting for a part time job that fits their schedule.

    What better choice of part time work is there if you don't have to wait two weeks to draw a check!

    If you drive a cab, like delivering pizza, you get CASH at the end of your work day... puch out/ go home with *foldin* money in your pocket!

    Cab companies in both Montgomery County and Frederick County are no longer at the mercy of who ever walks in their door looking for a job.

    Look at the industry this way:

    If you (the cab company) don't have too many people willing to (and qualified to) drive a taxi, you're basically STUCK WITH what ever shmucks you can get.

    NOW... Cab companies, especially taxi companies that specialize in Airport Transportation can take their pick of a much better pool of potential employees.

    See that?


    240 626-1147


    There is some good to come from the status quo being trashed.