From florists to home contractors, business owners across the country have continued to find new ways to take advantage of Ford’s fuel-efficient Transit Connect. Among the latest news? Cab drivers in Boston will soon have a flexible, economical option for getting people where they want to go, now that the city has approved the Transit Connect for use in taxi fleets.
“We’re very impressed with the Transit Connect,” said Mark Cohen, director, Licensing Division, Boston Police Department. “It’s the closest thing to a purpose-built vehicle for taxi use that I’ve seen in 25 years. The size, shape and configuration of the Transit Connect make it comfortable for both driver and passengers.”
Cohen weighed in on the Ford since Boston regulates the kinds of vehicles that can be used as taxis. Other cities do as well, but the capital of Red Sox Nation is the first to approve the Transit Connect.
And as Cohen mentioned, the Transit Connect comes standard with plenty for taxi drivers—and their customers—to like. The design of the truck allows for plenty of head room and visibility, while sliding doors and a low step-in height make it easy for people to enter/exit the vehicle. The Transit also packs an advanced four-cylinder engine that is rated at 22 mpg in the city; the Ford Crown Victoria, a current mainstay of cab fleets around the world, only makes 16 mpg city.
But Ford has added to that package, too. The truck gets factory-installed options to help in its new role, including vinyl flooring and seats, a wiring upfit package and standard third-row windows. In addition, the Transit Connect’s second-row seats have been moved back three inches to provide even more room for passengers, who will also benefit from a dedicated second-row ventilation system that helps the truck’s heating/cooling functionality.
Responding to taxi operators’ requests, the Blue Oval is offering alternative-fuel prep packages as well. These allow owners to affordably and easily convert the Transit Connect to run on either compressed natural gas (CNG) or liquid propane gas (LPG), both of which burn cleaner than gasoline. Edmonton Ford dealers are particularly impressed to see that the Transit Connect, which is a product that’s all about versatility, can be tailored to so many applications.
Added Cohen: ”When the Ford Crown Victoria goes out of production next year, the taxi industry here in Boston and throughout the country is going to be looking for alternatives. I think the Transit Connect Taxi fits the bill.”
Needless to say, so does Ford.
* * *
Read more Ford news on this blog. Subscribe now.
You must log in to post a comment.