BOSTON, Dec.1, 2010 – The first Ford Transit Connect Taxi in the
United States was delivered today to Boston Cab Dispatch at the New
England International Auto Show.
Brett Barenholtz, CEO of Boston Cab Dispatch, received the keys to
the Transit Connect Taxi and said he is eager to put it into service.
“Transit Connect Taxi offers important features for our passengers
and our drivers,” said Barenholtz at the auto show. “It has more legroom
and cargo space, better fuel efficiency, and makes the entire
operation more economical.”
Sentry Ford in Medford, Mass., is the delivering dealer, working
with Boston Cab Dispatch to integrate Transit Connect into the cab
company’s fleet.
The taxi was outfitted by Creative Mobile Technologies of Long
Island City, N.Y., which provides equipment such as payment processing
and passenger information systems in the taxi, including an 8.4-inch
electronic infotainment and navigation screen that shows cab fares,
news, weather, sports scores and stock ticker. “CMT is thrilled to
combine state-of-the-art technology with a next-generation taxi
platform like Transit Connect,” said Jesse Davis, president of CMT.
Transit Connect Taxis also are on their way to other New England taxi
companies. George Summers, president of USA Taxi, has added a Transit
Connect to his Boston fleet. And two Connecticut operators, Bill
Scalzi, president of Metro Taxi in West Haven, Conn., and Marco Henry,
president of The Yellow Cab Company in Bloomfield, Conn., have ordered
compressed natural gas (CNG) versions of the Transit Connect Taxi for
their fleets.
“We’ve always driven Ford vehicles, Crown Vics and Escape Hybrids”
said Summers. “Now, we’re adding the Transit Connect Taxi. It has great
dimensions and fuel efficiency that will work well on the road.”
Stoneham Ford in Stoneham, Mass., is the delivering dealer for USA
Taxi.
In April, the Licensing Division of the Boston Police Department
approved Transit Connect for taxi use, making Boston the first city in
the country to do so. To be approved, the vehicle had to meet basic
size requirements for passenger headroom, legroom and cargo space.
“Transit Connect fits the bill,” said Mark Cohen, Licensing Division
director. “The size, shape and configuration of this unique vehicle
make it comfortable for both driver and passengers.”
While the small perimeter dimensions and tall shape of Transit
Connect make it easy for drivers to maneuver and park, the standard
2.0-liter I-4 engine gets 21 mpg city and 26 mpg highway mpg, an
estimated 30 percent improvement in fuel economy versus traditional
V8-powered sedan-based taxis.
Furthermore, Transit Connect Taxi is available with an engine
preparation package for conversion to compressed natural gas (CNG) and
liquefied propane gas (LPG).
The Transit Connect Taxi package adds comfort for the passenger with
a repositioned second-row seat for more legroom, grab handles and rear
air conditioning/heat vent with passenger controls. For the taxi
driver, new features include rear view camera and back-up sensor,
heavy-duty battery and a wiring block connector to power upfitted
accessories.
“We’re excited to see Transit Connect Taxi in service in Boston,”
said Kevin Koswick, director of Ford’s North American Fleet Operations.
“Ford is committed to offering new solutions and maintaining our
leadership as America’s No. 1 taxi provider.”
Transit Connect Taxi package vehicles are now available for order.
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