6/15/2007 9:00 AM
Red Top Cab is Region's First to Go Green
Virginia’s Largest Taxicab Company to Add Gas-Electric Hybrid Vehicles to Fleet

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Liz Sara.  202.255.0134.  Lsara@BestMarketing.net

Arlington, Virginia…June 15, 2007…Arlington Red Top Cab, one of the metropolitan area’s largest taxicab companies, announced today that it will be the first to join a nation-wide initiative to conserve fuel and reduce vehicle emissions through the use of hybrid technology.

Red Top Cab has placed an initial order for five Ford Escape Hybrid models.  The highly fuel- efficient combination gas and electric vehicles are scheduled to arrive in mid-July.  

“Red Top is the first taxi company in the area to make an investment in hybrid cars,” said Charles King, Vice President.  “We view this as an important, visible step in contributing to a cleaner, greener community through both reduced carbon emissions and reduced fuel consumption.  As our population continues to grow, hybrid cars will enable us to meet our region’s escalating transportation needs in a new, more cost effective and environmentally-friendly manner.”  

Red Top chose the Ford Escape vehicle because it is the largest production hybrid suitable for taxicab use.  The Escape averages approximately 34 miles per gallon (mpg) in city driving compared to the Ford Crown Victoria, the standard for American taxi fleets, which averages 16-17 mpg. The Escape has a slightly smaller interior than the Crown Victoria.

Ford hybrid vehicles use an electric motor to travel at speeds under 35 mph, employing the gas engine only when added power or increased cruising speeds are necessary. The dense traffic conditions prevalent in Northern Virginia result in vehicles idling for extended periods of time.  This is where the hybrid shines. At lower city speeds or when idling, the vehicle uses only the battery-powered electric motor, thereby conserving fuel and greatly reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Founded in Arlington, Red Top Cab has been consistently and efficiently serving the transportation needs of the county’s business and residential communities for more than four decades.  Today, Red Top is widely recognized as the most successful and largest taxicab fleet in Northern Virginia. Responding to nearly 11,000 daily phone calls are more than 300 modern computer-dispatched vehicles, each logging approximately 50,000 street miles yearly. Red Top has the largest wheelchair-accessible fleet of taxis in the metro area, averaging 3,000 wheelchair trips each month. The Company has been the long-standing sponsor of the region’s SoberRide program and is an active participant in numerous civic, charitable and non-profit organizations in the county. Visit www.redtopcab.com