Pedal-powered cabs coming to Toronto

Apr 21, 2008 01:03 PM Curtis Rush Staff Reporter
A fleet of pedal-powered EcoCabs will hit the downtown Toronto core starting May 1, offering passengers a speedy — and free — ride to their favourite restaurant, nightclub, business meeting or even the Rogers Centre for a ball game.
Eight of the cars, which have a futuristic yellow outer shell, were introduced today at Dundas Square by William Kozma, president of GO Mobile Media.
There is no charge (although tips won't be turned down) because the cabs are supported by corporate sponsors. Lipton Green Tea is one — and riders are provided a free glass of green tea with their ride.
The cabs, which are about 10 feet long and four feet wide, can accommodate two passengers on the padded seats and a child under 12.
And the three-wheeled cabs will travel on the right-hand lane of city streets at a top speed of 12 km/h. The average speed in the downtown core will be about 6 km/h.
"The idea is to have the vehicles throughout the downtown core in the areas where there is the most congestion," Kozma said.
The EcoCabs will focus on an area of about six to 12 blocks downtown.
"The idea is not to replace the cabbies," Kozma said. "We're not taking people for airport runs or picking them up at hotels with their luggage. This is strictly short-haul distances."
The cabs will run primarily on the pedal-power of the driver. To go uphill, or when there is a particularly heavy load, a rechargable electric battery will kick in.
The free service may not be well received by local rickshaw drivers, who charge a fee for the same kind of service.
"There's no reason to nickel and dime consumers for a dollar or two dollars a block when you can just take them for free," Kozma said.
"I think that's really the future, and the environmental mandate is most important. If rickshaws still want to operate, I think that's great. I think they provide a valuable service, but I think the EcoCab fills a void both from a transportation need and from an environmental requirement."
Cabs like these have been a success in other countries, Kozma said. For instance, New York City has been operating similar cabs in the theatre district for a couple of years.
The company hopes to expand to Vancouver, Montreal, Calgary and Edmonton next year.
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I applaud Kozma for his entrepreneurial spirit for putting a plan together of this magnitude. What more could you ask for - a free service to the consumers, a free drink of green tea, creation of employment, an environmentally friendly business and it comes at the cost of the corporation not the consumer. It's about time these major corporations start giving back. Very refreshing to hear! We wish him well.