Green Taxi Program Results in Cleaner Airport Trips
A Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) pilot program to encourage taxis to use compressed natural gas (CNG) instead of traditional gasoline has been a success, with 29 cabs using the fuel for more than 3,100 trips to O'Hare International Airport between August and November 2011.
The CDA Green Taxi Pilot Program, launched in August 2011, gives participating taxis preferential access to O'Hare terminals by allowing CNG taxis to use the short trip lanes that are typically used for wheelchair-accessible vehicles. This new process reduces wait times for taxis to pick up fares.
The program complements the City of Chicago's Green Taxi Incremental Cost Allowance Program ("Green Taxi Program") launched in April 2011 by the Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP) and the Department of Environment (DOE). The Green Taxi Program uses $1 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funding to reimburse a portion of the cost of certain hybrid and alternative fuel vehicles purchased in 2011.
Ford Transit Connect CNG Taxi
The CNG taxis have traditional car engines that have been converted to run 100 percent on CNG. Through the City's Green Taxi Program, CNG-powered taxi cabs can be reimbursed for the incremental cost to convert, typically between $9,000 and $14,000, or the cost for the conversion of a gasoline-powered taxi cab to run on 100 percent CNG. Popular CNG taxi models include the Chevy Impala and Ford Transit Connect.
The CDA's program supports the City's goal to achieve the greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals outlined in the Chicago Climate Action Plan. Purchasing CNG instead of gasoline or diesel fuel also reduces dependence on foreign oil, generally costs at least 15 percent less, has a more stable price, requires fewer oil changes, and is less toxic.
Both the CDA's program and the Green Taxi Program involve educating taxi drivers about "EcoDriving Practices" to reduce emissions and save drivers up to $2,200 per year in fuel costs. EcoDriving signs and brochures are posted around the airport to provide insight on idling, weight, air conditioning use, cruise control, proper tire inflation and other topics.
CDA Commissioner Rosemarie S. Andolino recently announced that the CDA intends to issue a Request for Proposals in the next few weeks inviting developers to construct and operate a fueling station that will supply multiple alternative fuels such as CNG, biodiesel, ethanol, and electric vehicle charging to commercial and private vehicles at and around O'Hare. The alternative fueling station will be located near the intersection of Mannheim and Higgins Roads and will aid in fueling the increasing fleet of CNG taxi cabs.
