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In non-holiday tree related Port news, all of the Seattle-Tacoma International Taxicab Association (STITA) taxis will run on compressed natural gas by this summer (the press release says "Aug. 31, 2006" but we're guessing they meant 2007). In fact all of the sedan-style STITA cabs already burn natural gas. The Port had to hunt around for sedans that use the alternative fuel, and purchased a bunch from California fleets that were retiring the cars. Ford stopped making CNG Crown Victorias in 2004 ("Who Killed The Compressed Natural Gas Car?"), but there are companies out there that convert standard petroleum cars to CNG.
Compressed natural gas vehicles reduce carbon monoxide emissions by 90%, nitrogen oxide emissions by 60%, and carbon dioxide emissions by up to 40%. South America has been the best adapter, with Argentinians driving 1,459,236 CNG automobiles and Brazilians accounting for another 1,228,079.
However, the only CNG-powered car you can buy new in the States is the CNG Civic. Ford is still manufacturing natural gas cars for other markets, but right now the Civic is the only game in town here. Is there a reason the Port didn't just buy Civics? Is there a related reason why no taxi company anywhere has a fleet of anything but American cars? Is this legislated somewhere?
STITA operates 166 of the 502 cabs in Seattle. All Pierce County transit uses compressed natural gas.
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Every time I've taken a cab from the airport this Autumn, the driver complains about what a hassle the natural gas requirement is. Only being able to fill up at the airport and the limited post-conversion trunk space seem to be among the chief gripes.
"Is there a reason the Port didn't just buy Civics?"
umm, perhaps b/c that'd be a damm small taxi?
A couple of things: First the Honda Civic is too small for standard airport Transportation. Too many people too much lugge. Second STITA hs no cabs legally authorized to work in Seattle. The are only Licensed for King Count outside of seattle. There around 850 Licensed Cabs combined for Seattle and King County. Some not lgal fo Seattle, some not Legal for Suburban King County and most not legal to stand at the Airport. And in case anyone is interested Tacoma, Pierce County, Fife, Orting, Edmonds, Mountlake Terrace, Lynnwood, Everett, Marysville, Bremerton have their own licenses and restrictions to name a few.