WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) today attended a special ceremony today at the headquarters of Veolia Transportation to launch Baltimore’s first propane autogas taxi fleet.  Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, Maryland State Comptroller Peter Franchot and other officials also attended the launch.

Veolia Transportation — the largest private provider of multiple modes of transportation in North America — is converting 300 of its taxis nationwide from gasoline to propane autogas. The company also has installed an autogas fueling station in Baltimore to serve 50 Checker and Yellow taxis.

“I want to commend Veolia Transportation for taking the lead in using more energy-efficient propane in its taxi fleet,” said Senator Cardin, a member of the Environment and Public Works Committee.  “Veolia has become an industry role model for how transportation companies can make a difference by helping to reduce our nation’s reliance on foreign oil.”

Veolia Transportation is Baltimore City’s largest operator of taxicab services. Operating under the names Yellow, Checker, and Sun Cabs in Baltimore City, and Jimmy’s Cab in Baltimore County, the company currently serves approximately five million people annually with a fleet of nearly 700 vehicles.

Veolia Transportation’s propane autogas vehicle conversions are being completed under the Southeast Propane Autogas Development Program (SPADP).  Under the public-private partnership, Program fleets are converting more than 1,200 autogas vehicles and implementing more than 30 autogas fueling stations throughout the southeastern United States, Pittsburgh and Denver.

In addition to the 50 Checker Yellow taxis in Baltimore by the end of 2012, Veolia Transportation will convert more than 250 of the taxis it operates in Pittsburgh, Jacksonville and Denver to run on propane autogas.

–##–