Green limousine service pushes for airport licence

A Toronto limousine company is trying to persuade city officials to change a bylaw that prevents it from usingsmall, fuel-efficient hybrid cars at Pearson International Airport.

Steven Frei,co-founder of the Green Limousine service, has been told the firm's Toyota Prius cars don't comply with size rules under the city bylaw.

To qualify as limousine service, the hybrid automobiles would need to be able to carry up to five passengers andhave morepassenger legroom.Theservice would also have to one have stretch limo for every four sedans.

"The idea of bigger cars to take people to the airport is outdated," Frei told CBC.ca. "I think people are more interested in reducing their carbon footprint than the amount of legroom they have."

The Prius cars his company owns are 2007 models and "very comfortable," he said, adding that they'll be available for servicein nearby Ajax and Pickering next month.

Frei decided to buy acouple of the hybrids — whichrun on a gasoline engine and electric motor — after reading the Tim Flannery book The Weather Makers, which outlines ways to fight global warming, he said.

He wouldbuymore of thehybridsif he could convince the city to change the rules, outlined to himafter he made inquiriesaboutan airportlicence in February, he said.

Frei has a meeting scheduled for later Thursdayto presenthis case toCoun. Howard Moscoe, the chair of the city's licensing and standards committee.

"Clearly it can be done. There's a public appetite for it," Frei said.

Rule changes could have ripple effect: Moscoe

Moscoe has saidhe'lllisten to Frei's request, but thatany changes to the rules could have a ripple effect on the overall structure of a complicated industry.

Trips from the airport are almost always by licensed airport limousines. Airport officials place restrictions and fees ontaxis. They can only pick up pre-arranged fares andmust pay a $10 fee to the airport authority.

Hybrid vehicles have become more popular as gas prices have increased andenvironmental concerns have become more prevalent.

In stop-and-go traffic, a hybridtypically runs on its electric motor, with batteries charged bythe gasoline engine. On the highway, they usually switch to full gasoline power and drive like a traditional car.