SAN DIEGO–Visitors arriving at San Diego International Airport may soon be hailing newer, cleaner taxicabs.
County Supervisor Greg Cox and the County’s Air Pollution Control District are proposing a pilot program that would help owners of airport-based cabs to trade in their older, polluting cars for new, fuel-efficient vehicles.
“We want to get these older taxis that pollute and guzzle more gas off the roads and replace them with cleaner, greener cabs,” said Supervisor Cox.
Cox, who is also an Airport Authority board member, will propose to the Board of Supervisors on January 7 a taxicab trade in grant program. The Supervisors also sit as the Air Pollution Control District.
The pilot program would enable taxicab owners who have permits to operate at the airport to upgrade their older, gasoline-powered vehicles to hybrid, CNG or alternative fuel taxis.
Owners would receive a rebate between $3,500 and $4,000 after the purchase of a hybrid, CNG or alternative fuel vehicle. The owners would also pay reduced airport fees for converting to alternative fuel vehicles.
“Taxis are a vital link in the region’s transportation network, especially for the many tourists and visitors who come through our airport,” said Cox. “This program can save energy and improve air quality.”
More than 350 cabs operate at the airport today. If the pilot program is successful, it could be expanded throughout the region.
