[Ugly Mongrel]

Mrs UM and I have been holidaying in Sydney (1week) and Lennox Head (1week). During that time I could count on one hand the number of 4 cylinder or hybrid taxis I have seen. Most have been Ford Falcons.

This is a stark contrast to Queensland (both metro and provincial) where nearly all taxis are hybrids.

I have been wondering why this is the case, but have decided to as my learned forum friends and have a cold beer n the verandah of our unit overlooking the Pacific Ocean.

[Keith]

The mental picture of that view where you were having a beer is awesome UM!

Particularly at this time of the year here in the UK... Our street had a bit of a fireworks night last night and we all huddled around a brazier fire until the wee early hours well wrapped up against the cold with a selection of alcoholic beverages...

But the Taxi thing.. Are there financial advantages to Taxi businesses in QL if they use less polluting cars? I don't fully understand State legislation as we don't have it here but I'd imagine something to do with the filthy folding stuff is driving that difference for cabbies.

[Dazzler]

Terry I found this...

http://www.nswtaxi.org.au/user_files/file/facts%20heets/NSW_TAXI_FACT_SHEETS_green(1).pdf

and this...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taxicabs_of_Australia

[Surferdude]

Mrs UM and I have been holidaying in Sydney (1week) and Lennox Head (1week). During that time I could count on one hand the number of 4 cylinder or hybrid taxis I have seen. Most have been Ford Falcons.

This is a stark contrast to Queensland (both metro and provincial) where nearly all taxis are hybrids.

I have been wondering why this is the case, but have decided to as my learned forum friends and have a cold beer n the verandah of our unit overlooking the Pacific Ocean.

I love Lennox Head. If you have time, take a drive up into the hills and visit  http://www.reddoorcoffee.com/ on Fernleigh Rd (444).


The guy (Brett) is a top bloke and grows/ roasts great coffee. Tell him Trev from Realsurf sent you.
His partner has a pottery place there as well.

[Just Rick]

The greater number of Taxi's here are ford,but just estimating every third Taxi would be Hybrid,mainly the very early Prius's,they have to keep them on the road far longer than normally to recoupe their cost,according to one friend who has a couple of Taxi's,he also stated he would not be replacing them with Hybrids

[Dazzler]

 

[beerman]

The greater number of Taxi's here are ford,but just estimating every third Taxi would be Hybrid,mainly the very early Prius's,they have to keep them on the road far longer than normally to recoupe their cost,according to one friend who has a couple of Taxi's,he also stated he would not be replacing them with Hybrids

Thats funny because I took the wife's car to yellow cabs in Brisbane to have a problem fixed, and old mate coultn't stop raving about the prius....

The move away from the Falcon may have something to do with the move away from the Falcon/Commodore from the Government fleets, hence no late model cheap used Falcons...

[Surferdude]

The greater number of Taxi's here are ford,but just estimating every third Taxi would be Hybrid,mainly the very early Prius's,they have to keep them on the road far longer than normally to recoupe their cost,according to one friend who has a couple of Taxi's,he also stated he would not be replacing them with Hybrids

Thats funny because I took the wife's car to yellow cabs in Brisbane to have a problem fixed, and old mate coultn't stop raving about the prius....

The move away from the Falcon may have something to do with the move away from the Falcon/Commodore from the Government fleets, hence no late model cheap used Falcons...

You're pretty much on the money, beerman.
I was talking to a taxi driver up here a year or so back and in response to my question about the new cost of th ePrius he told me they don't buy them new but from the ex government auctions. I was surprised there were enough of them but he said there were.

[beerman]

They are very low k and have dropped close to 50% in value.

Looking at the fleet now, it would seem that at least some have been happy to stamp up for new ones (the price has fallen since their initial entry to the market.)

The prius also attracts discounted registration, being 'fuel efficient' or at least they did....