And the Fight Begins
Green Shuttle?
As eco-friendly or green cars hit the streets, will there be a need to re-write the laws for taxis? The fight has begun in Houston, Texas with a new company called Rev Houston. It was started in April of 2008 by Erik Ibarra and his brother. They have 3 small electric cars on the streets of downtown and midtown Houston, picking up passenger who TIP instead of paying a metered fare for short trips.
The city believes that they are breaking the law. One of the laws they believe they have broken is the fact that they do not carry a fire extinguisher. The problem there is that the vehicle does not have a single drop of combustible liquid. They also do not have a meter. They do not have a taxi cab license.
So, the city has ticketed this company 15 times so far this year at $150 to $200 per pop. It certainly is costing them to run the streets, legal or not.
The other problem they have to deal with is the taxi companies themselves. As we all know, taxis are regulated by the city, along with the fact that taxis do not take short trips. At least that is true in Houston. I do not know if that is so in cities like Chicago or New York.
The Yellow Cab Company is yelling that it is unfair that Rev Houston is not being regulated. Perhaps if all involved looked at Rev Houston as a trolley car like in San Francisco, this could be a deal maker.
Some have come up with giving them a jitney license. The only problem with that according to Erik is that it requires him to drive a set route within the city. That is not what the company stands for.
So what do you think? Should Rev Houston be required to follow what taxis are required to do? Should Rev Houston continue on its merry way as it does today, running on tips for short trips?
As the green future unfolds……..
BTW, keep your eye open here at Forced Green. We will be announcing something very soon that will be of interest to all.
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Tags: Chicago, environment, Going Green, green cars, Houston, New York, New York City, San Francisco, Taxicab, taxis, united states, WiMAX
August 2nd, 2009 at 11:33 am
And the Fight Begins | Forced Green…
As eco-friendly or green cars hit the streets, will there be a need to re-write the laws for taxis?…
August 2nd, 2009 at 11:49 am
Well, it’s called…..Competition. I don’t think any law needs to be re-written. There is no new law when any other business opens.
.-= Maureen´s last blog ..Are You an Entrepreneur OR Are You a Professional Student? =-.
August 2nd, 2009 at 12:06 pm
Hi Maureen … You betcha! However, the powers to be have their ways of letting everyone know about how unfair it is to them!
August 3rd, 2009 at 8:30 am
Its so cute! I wish I had one!
<3 Lindsay
August 3rd, 2009 at 10:30 am
That’s a shame, I’d definitely take one of his taxis.
I’d like to know what kind of taxi he drives. It looks like a Smart Car but we looked into them earlier this year and were really surprised that they got about the same mpg as our Corolla.
.-= corrin´s last blog ..Needy Facebook Friends =-.
August 3rd, 2009 at 11:19 am
Hi Water Damage … I do too, but the doors are missing so I am wondering how you get protected from the elements….
August 3rd, 2009 at 11:20 am
Hi corrin … think of these cars as elongated golf carts. So, they are electric only and no gas needed….
August 4th, 2009 at 9:30 am
Sounds like a nice idea, but as a non-American I prefer set charges. I never know how much you should tip or how to do it….
.-= vein´s last blog ..Random Sketch Day =-.
August 4th, 2009 at 5:24 pm
It sounds as if by creating a new business that has an undefined niche, they ruffled some feathers. When there exists competion in that direct niche, there will be a scramble for regulation to define areas of service and establish minimun standards of safety.
The big problem is that city fathers would not have a meter to reference for establishing a business tax $$$$.
I guess that is why we will have to be “Forced Green”
Like it or not, they fill a niche between what public transport and commercial taxi can provide, I salute them.
Every major city could utilize a service like this, in a downtown “No (Fossil Fueled) Motorized Vehicle Zone”
If you are not hiking or biking, take an electric vehicle powered by renewable energy.
Works for me.!!!
August 4th, 2009 at 10:49 pm
Hi vein … I know what you mean… I am sure that they would help you out though.
August 4th, 2009 at 10:53 pm
Hi Lissof … You have a perfect outlook on this! When folks do something out of the ordinary, those who do not like change or have to think about it, get a little bent out of shape. I think these guys are what we need! Thanks for the plug! You Get it!!!!!
August 11th, 2009 at 11:42 pm
WoW, Linda. It seems there are many surprises awaiting to be revealed in Forcedgreen and I can’t wait to see witness it myself…
August 12th, 2009 at 9:17 am
Hi Wilson Pon … Yes, there are! Just keep on reading and you will find so much more!