If you’re going to operate a new taxicab in Arlington, it better be a hybrid vehicle.
That was the message sent by Arlington County Board Wednesday when it gave permission for EnviroCab, a new all-hybrid company, to operate in the county. The board also approved 35 hybrid vehicles for existing cab companies in the region.
“We’re really glad they did what they did,” said EnviroCab CEO Hans Hess Wednesday. “The staff has been so supportive, and we’re thankful to all of them.”
The vote is the final regulatory approval EnviroCab needed to operate as a new cab company in Arlington. EnviroCab was given permission for a 50-cab fleet. Hess said the company is aiming to be operational by the middle of December, but will not have its entire fleet in place at that point.
The next step for EnviroCab is to get its dispatch system ready and to hire drivers, Hess said; the company has already received numerous phone calls from interested parties. The company has also brought on taxicab industry veteran Tom Eisen to serve on its management team.
EnviroCab was partially motivated by Arlington’s Fresh AIRE program, which encourages environmentally friendly business practices, Hess said.
“Our efforts to raise awareness about the importance of reducing greenhouse gas emissions are clearly paying off,” County Board Chairman Paul Ferguson said in a statement Wednesday.
Red Top Cab was given permits for 20 additional hybrid vehicles, Crown Cab received 10 and Yellow Can received five. Friendly Cab Company got a permit to operate a new wheelchair-accessible vehicle as well, according to the statement.
The board also denied an appeal by Blue Top Cab against the county manager’s decision not to give it any new cabs, as the company had not offered to use hybrid vehicles.
