Stepping into a Mercedes Benz named Gazoo, a ride with Green Cab VT begins. Green Cab VT is a company looking to make a social statement while informing people about the products they use.
“We have Gazoo, Yoda and Kermit,” says Charlie Herrick, co-owner of Green Cab VT, referring to the cars' names which appear on the license plates.
Green who?
Green Cab VT is committed to promoting the availability and practicality of alternative fueled vehicles. Owned and operated by Burlington locals, Charlie Herrick and Lizzie Keating, the company wants to provide a clean and reliable taxi service to the area.
Founded in February ‘08 the first car was not on the road until the end of April. Herrick believes that the current situation in transportation is outdated and an alternative needs to be offered, he says.
“The internal combustion engine was invented 185 years ago and has stuck around ever since," Herrick says. "We hope to affect some small change in the way that people perceive alternative fueled vehicles."
The current fleet consists of two bio-diesel powered Mercedes-Benz sedans, a Miles electric vehicle and this week they will roll out a Jeep equipped with a hydrogen injection system.
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Green Cab prides itself on pleasing customers with friendly service and clean cars.
(Photo by Megan Davin)
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The Mercedes are known to last over 500,000 miles if the engines are treated correctly. Gazoo, one of the fleets Mercedes has over 189,000 miles, Herrick says. The Mercedes run on a mixture of diesel and vegetable oil, reducing carbon emissions. The Miles is a 100 percent electric vehicle that can hold up to three adults functioning as the downtown vehicle, he says.
Herrick and Keating were looking for a new business and one day at home, Green Cab came to them. It was a moment while sitting on the couch where every connection was made at once and the taxi industry in Burlington needs improvement, Herrick says.
“Four cars strong and looking to grow,” Herrick says. “We have done nothing but grow since the company started.”
St. Michael's students have already begun taking notice of the company around campus and downtown Burlington.
“It’s so Vermont,” senior Nick Botto says. “People will call them just because of the name.”
Growing Daily
They do not like to compare themselves to the other cab companies in the Burlington area, but have heard from customers that they are cheaper, Herrick says.
“We like to call our fares 'common sense fares,'” Herrick says. “Our base fare from St. Michael’s to downtown is $10.”
“If you need a taxi, we want to be your first call,” Herrick says.
Operating with about nine drivers, Green Cab is in the process of hiring more to help with the company's constant expansion.
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Owner and cab driver, Charlie Herrick shows off Gazoo one of the Mercedes.
(Photo by Megan Davin) |
“We just started with our friends; we have grown mostly by word of mouth,” Herrick says.
They have used minimal advertising, and are not in the yellow pages, Herrick says.
“Lower your carbon footprint with a phone call,” was one of the few advertisements created.
The cab rush is the bar rush from about midnight until 3 a.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights and 7 a.m. till 9 a.m. with the morning commuters. Calls come in waves and for Herrick it’s difficult to predict when that rush of calls will come in any given day.
“Competition is good for the soul, it doesn’t affect us at all,” says Ken Bouvier, dispatcher at Yellow Taxi in Burlington. “It’s no different than any other independent companies. Get people out there and get things going.”
Ruling over Burlington
Green Cab VT plans to examine all different types of alternative fuels. By putting the fourth car on the road this week, hopes to expose alternative fuels to the public, Herrick says.
It’s up to the pioneer grass-roots people working in the garage finding better ideas and doing it themselves, Herrick says. He has been researching these types of movements and even found a man in Pennsylvania who created his own eclectic car.
San Francisco Green Cab is the only other similar company. When beginning the Green Cab VT Herrick talked with the owner several times for advice.
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Gazoo is the second Mercedes in the fleet. Catchy license plates make the company more noticable around town.
(Photo by Megan Davin) |
“I think global warming and climate change is an issue." Herrick says. "I think that I have always been a proponent of doing things and taking action. I try to live my life and at least try to reuse and recycle. I can only do what I can do.”
All companies want to be green. It’s the product everyone wants and is driven by the consumer’s decision, Herrick says.
“I’m looking to go further into the alternative fuels market. It’s a good idea right now and works right now,” he says, referring to the bio-diesel.
People feel excited to take part in something that is going along the right lines. They're going to be calling back because it’s a fair rate, he says.
“We’re growing every day and that’s what makes me happy," Herrick says. "We’re probably doing 120-200 calls a day and about half are regulars. It’s a competitive industry and we need loyal customers to have any success.”
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