(September 11, 2011) DEARBORN, Mich. — California’s first compressed natural gas (CNG)-powered Ford Transit Connect Taxis hit the greater Los Angeles area today, giving taxi owners, drivers and passengers a chance to help the environment one small trip at a time.

California Yellow Cab of Orange County put its first 10 Transit Connect Taxis into service – marked by an event celebrating the increased presence of CNG use in California. Clean Energy, which owns and operates CNG filling stations, also participated in the event.

The first 10 Transit Connect Taxis are part of an order for 50 units that California Yellow Cab plans to put into service by 2012. In addition, Yellow Cab of Anaheim also ordered 69 units, bringing the total number of CNG Transit Connect Taxis that will soon be servicing Southern California to more than 100.

Tim Conlon, president and general manager of California Yellow Cab, said there is a lot of excitement over the new taxis.

“Our goal is to convert our entire fleet to alternative fuels, so bringing the CNG Transit Connect Taxis into service is an exciting step in that direction,” said Conlon. “The drivers are excited too. They have been lining up to be among the first to get behind the wheel of a CNG-powered taxi.”

Conlon isn’t alone in being excited about the taxi option as many others in California are considering adding the versatile vehicle to their fleets, said Gerry Koss, marketing manager, Ford Fleet. 

“The Transit Connect Taxi is well-suited for California taxi service for many reasons including its exceptional maneuverability and improved fuel economy,” said Koss. “As more and more taxi industry representatives see how well the Transit Connect Taxi performs, we expect the level of interest in the vehicle to increase accordingly.”

CNG-powered Transit Connect Taxis are becoming more popular in other parts of the country as well, servicing places such as Las Vegas and St. Louis. Chicago is another city where CNG-powered Transit Connect Taxis are in service already. Taxi Medallion Management put 12 of the vehicles into service in June.