Boston is First to Adopt Ford Transit Connect for Taxi Duty
It won the North American truck of the year award and in the commercial sector, the Transit Connect has been generating a lot of interest over the last year. The Turkish built, small delivery van has been on sale in Europe since 2002, but was only introduced to our market last year. As Ford is retiring its fleet mainstay, the Crown Victoria sedan in 2011, many government agencies and taxi fleet operators are looking at a suitable replacement. With its small size, tight turning radius, significant interior capacity and decent fuel economy, the Transit Connect is seen as a logical alternative to the Vic taxi by some. Recently, the city of Boston announced that it will be adding these vehicles to its taxi fleets in the fall of this year, making it the first major American metropolis to do so.
According to Mark Cohen, Licensing Director for the Boston Police department that issues cab licenses, “we’ve been very impressed with the Transit Connect. The size, shape and configuration make it comfortable for the driver and passengers. It’s the closest thing to a purpose-built vehicle for taxi use that I’ve seen in 25 years.”
Besides space; durability, ease of maintenance and the ability to run on compressed natural gas (CNG) are all high priorities for taxi fleets. In addition to the Transit Connect’s 2.0-liter gas engine, the company will also be offering new pre prep conversions that allow the vehicle to run on CNG or LPG (Liquid Petroleum Gas). Even without that, if the Transit Connect proves successful as a taxi, it is likely to boost the average fuel economy of taxi fleets by as much as 30 percent.
[Source: Ford Motor Company]
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I fell in love with the Transit Connect while traveling in the UK and as soon as they arrived in the US bought a blue cargo van from Balise Ford in Hyannis MA. I named the van Hamish--a good stouthearted name for a great stouthearted vehicle, which is my home as I drive around the US camping and sightseeing. Hamish gets 30mpg, is cozy and comfortable and drives like a dream. After 35 years of driving nothing but F150s, I'm a convert. Every time I pass by a Ford dealership I stop in and show them what I'm doing with my Transit Connect--hoping to start a fad among single retirees who want to take to the open road! Please feel free to use my testimony however you like! THanks!
i purchased a ford transit connect xlt 2010, and have over 10,000 miles in 4 months, just love to drive it. im 70 years and its easy for me to get in ,and out of the vehicle, the seats are comfee, plenty of power to keep up with turnpike traffic, still a passing gear at 70 mph to take you 85++ lots of room, ( in cruise control,, at 45mph,=33miles per gal, at 55mph 31mpg, at turnpike speed 29 to 30 mpg. on shell v power gas.) im very pleased with the vehicle. traded in my 2008 jeep wrangler x 4x4 with 16,000 miles for the transit. :)