Michigan Green Cabs expands reach into Washtenaw County, sees growth in corporate travel market
The Tobias family recently expanded its fleet of green cabs into AnnArbor.
The green-checkered cab has made its debut in Ann Arbor.
Just two years after Jon Tobias started Michigan Green Cabs in Wixom with two hybrid cars, the company has expanded to Washtenaw and Livingston counties and added 10 more Toyota Priuses to the fleet.
Revenues have doubled from last year, says Tobias, with most of the growth in the corporate travel market. Business travelers, says Tobias, are happy to ride in a hybrid vehicle, despite a lack of bells and whistles. Rock stars like them too; Roger Daltrey of The Who hired a cab for a day when he was in town for a concert, Tobias said.
“Many people have partnered with us, and corporations have partnered with us, because it was consistent with their desire to become involved in green initiatives,” says Tobias, a Wixom resident. “Other than changing light bulbs, there aren’t things that have an immediate impact on the environment. This has a substantial impact, but it’s also immediate.”
The Priuses get about 51 mpg on the highway and operate on electric power on city streets. (Tobias says he would prefer to use the Ford Fusion, an American compact hybrid, but it doesn’t offer the same passenger space and luggage capacity.)
Aside from using less gasoline, Michigan Green Cabs is also a paperless operation. All bookings and dispatching are done via Internet, so travelers anywhere can reserve a cab that will be waiting for them when they arrive. Rates, at $2.25 per mile, are competitive with cab companies that operate cars like Crown Victorias, gas guzzlers with cushy seats.
Tobias anticipates gross fare revenues of more than $1 million this year - almost twice last year’s take. Expanding into Washtenaw County made sense, given the amount of traffic to and from the university and the reception the company has gotten from the public.
“I truly believe the main reason we are successful is that we are doing the right thing for the right time for all the right reasons, and other people support what we’re doing. Even in this crazy economy, we’re taking off,” Tobias says.
Every Michigan Green cab on the road creates three full-time and 1 part-time jobs, and every four cabs creates another dispatch job, he says. The company now employs 35 people and is continuing to hire.
Before he launched Michigan Green Cabs in May 2008 with two Priuses, Tobias served as CEO of Michigan Cemetery Management; his brother, Tim, who runs the Washtenaw-Livingston operation, also was making good money in the corporate world, but was ultimately convinced by his brother to quit and join the company. Jon Tobias’s son, Ryan, is company general manager.
“If my dream comes true, I’ll have 150 hybrid vehicles on the road in 24 months,” says Tobias. “I want to transform the transportation industry here in Michigan. With 150 vehicles, we’ll save 1.2 million gallons a fuel a year. It’s a tall order, but I believe green cabs can operate in any market area.”
To book a cab, call 1-877-GRNTAXI (1-877-476-8294) or go online to http://www.migreencabs.com/.
Julie Edgar is a freelancer writer for AnnArbor.com.
Comments
SillyTree
Tue, Jul 20, 2010 : 7:59 a.m.
Thanks Joco. It was the fact that Green Cab presents those cars as taxis to which I was referring. The SelectRide vehicles do not claim to be taxis, they just are advertising for the taxi service they do provide; namely Yellow Cab.
Christian Otto
Sat, Jul 3, 2010 : 3:29 p.m.
It seems anything I have wanted to say has already been said. This is not, however, the only taxi cab company operating under a limo license in Ann Arbor, there are quite a few. If you doubt what you are getting into then simply look on the windshield, unless there is a permanently affixed taxi sticker then you are encouraging the company to act in an illegal manner. In my opinion this, too, makes you a crook. There are a handful of local companies that pay dearly every year in order to operate a taxi company. They are easy to find, just look for the sticker on the windshield and a sealed meter. Here are a few Ann Arbor Yellow cab... in my opinion one of the best and most reliable. All drivers are subject to random drug testing and periodic review of criminal and driving records. This company also holds state and city contracts (VA and AATA for example) and has to have drivers that fall under DOT regulations in order to provide those services. Amazing Blue Taxi... a fine local company. Blue Cab... another fine local company but their handling of the AATA "Night Ride" service is terrible. Ann Arbor Cab company... Local company and local drivers. It is noteworthy to point out that this city looks horrible with all the multi colored cabs running around town Thursday thru Saturday night. What would an out of town visitor think when they see various companies becoming hostile and driving like maniacs in order to get a fare, or to be exact, steal a fare from other drivers? Something has got to change, what is going on is not only an eyesore but makes it a dangerous place for drivers and pedestrians alike. I feel a new story needs to be written, a well informed story about how Ann Arbor is becoming just like all those big cities that we live here to escape from.
ypsicalling
Wed, Jun 30, 2010 : 11:31 a.m.
Ann Arbor Yellow Cab -- an ACTUAL local business (without branches is Royal Oak and Wixom) was using the Prius a year before this company decided to open up an Ann Arbor branch. The title of this article reads like a play on words that serves - along with the content of the article - as a straight-up advertisement for this new company. There are plenty of taxis in Ann Arbor that actually follow the city rules and go through the trouble (and cost) of getting an ANN ARBOR TAXI LICENSE so they can operate legally in the city. If everyone cared as much about the local economy as they claim to this offshoot of an Oakland County company would leave town with their tail between their legs.
SillyTree
Mon, Jun 28, 2010 : 7:49 p.m.
There is one other thing to mention. It is the almost 1984 "Ministry of Truth" way that this article has morphed througout the last few weeks. It is nothing like the original which included a headline that stated how cabs went from yellow to green. If you are going to correct mistatements, don't just correct the most obvious. Grow up and change the article to something that actually represents the truth. The original still exists in print. You are not the "Ministry of Truth."
SillyTree
Mon, Jun 28, 2010 : 6:07 p.m.
I am sure this story is dead by now, but there are a few more things to say. First, it is unfair to criticize Julie for not being a journalist. This is not a news story; it is a review. Reviews are the opinion of the reviewer and that is for the most part what this story reflects. However, certain statements were made that are not opinion. They are stated as fact and have no basis in the same. One in particular is just plain questionable. It is a bold statement to say that a service industry creates jobs without a net growth in the need for that service. It is more likely that jobs will be displaced from existing sources or that income will be lower for all workers in that industry. Everybody has a right to compete as a car service in Ann Arbor, but there are rules. These rules are being ignored by local police and the city council. Particularly, the municode states. In addition to other prohibited conduct specified in this chapter, no person shall: (1) Operate or permit the operation of a taxicab that is held out to the public as a limousine. (2) Operate or permit the operation of a vehicle as a taxicab if a certificate of authority has been issued under the Limousine Transportation Act, MCL 257.1901, et seq. for the vehicle. (3) Operate or permit the operation of a taxicab and charge a fare more than the amount calculated by the taximeter installed in the taxicab. Michigan Green Cab uses "cab" in their name and "taxi" in their signage for their phone number. That is in direct violation of the municode and it is ignored. If they are a taxi cab, then they must be metered and that meter must be inspected. They must be permitted as a taxicab in Ann Arbor. If they are a limousine, they may not legally call themselves a taxi. Selective enforcement of the law is tantamount to harrassment and nothing is being done. Why? Green is a matter of opinion. Fossil fuels burned at any rate are harmful to the environment. You do not save the planet by killing it more slowly. So what? That's all. Thank you.
Rick A.
Mon, Jun 21, 2010 : 4:25 p.m.
It would appear Green Taxi is quoting the higher end of fares in some cases. I drove a couple from the union to Ypsi Marriot after the couple received a quote of 29$. The meter in my cab was 26.25 on arrival to the hotel. This company is picking up off the street when they do not have a taxi sticker in the window to do so. Finally, I hope that drivers from many of these companies have the random testing and driving record reviewed to keep AA citizens safe on the road.
Lisa H
Wed, May 26, 2010 : 4:17 p.m.
I think they're great! They have very friendly drivers and are very reliable. My boyfriend and I have started using only MI Green Cab when we need a ride. After living in Ann Arbor for 21 years I'm all about supporting this local company, especially since they only use hybrid cars. @justwondering, I have been looking into the company more and the other branch does have larger vehicles, but the Ann Arbor one started recently and probably doesn't have the need yet.
Mike D.
Tue, May 25, 2010 : 6:53 a.m.
Apparently AnnArbor.com has never heard of "context." It's a basic journalistic principle; look it up. There's no mention of the fact that cab rates are regulated, or that Yellow Cab has been using Priuses for years. Leaving context to the commenters is plain lazy. Julie Edgar, you are not a journalist, and this site therefore isn't a news site.
Skyjockey43
Mon, May 24, 2010 : 8:43 p.m.
As a point of clarification, Ann Arbor's own Yellow Cab Company has been utilizing the hybrid Prius long before "Green Cabs" came in to town, and continue to add more to what has always been the largest and best maintained fleet of vehicles in the city. Additionally, $2.25 per mile is a city mandated fare that ALL licensed cab companies are required to charge. And yes, the Prius DOES get an average of 50mpg in city driving as I can personally attest. My personal best so far is 53.2 mpg
Dan Simms
Mon, May 24, 2010 : 2:51 p.m.
VW Jetta diesel. More room, better handling and safety. Can swap projector lens bi-xenons in them from other models which are better than reflector xenons. Prius does not get 51mpg, especially not the way people drive them.
Tim Tobias
Mon, May 24, 2010 : 2:32 p.m.
As a point of clarification, Michigan Green Cab Ann Arbor is a locally owned, independent licensee of Michigan Green Cabs, with operations based in Ann Arbor and Dexter. We currently have seven formerly unemployed drivers who live (and now work)in the Ann Arbor Ypsilanti area. Michigan Green Cab Ann Arbor is a local company serving Washtenaw and Livingston Counties.
justwondering
Mon, May 24, 2010 : 12:10 p.m.
I'm curious why they don't also have the Hybrid Escape, or Hybrid Fusion in their lineup. Per the companies' web sites, the luggage capacity is 5 cu ft less in the Fusion, but the Fusion has comparable rear seat head room, three and a half inches more rear seat shoulder room, over two inches more rear seat hip room, and an inch more leg room for rear seat passengers. So, if you want to carry a lot of luggage, a hybrid Escape sounds great to me. If you want to carry passengers in comfort around town, the hybrid Fusion sounds great to me. I'd like to support a local company, but this snubs those who may work for domestic automakers. If they will support me, then I will support them. Until that time, I'll have to use someone else.
Quantro
Mon, May 24, 2010 : 10:32 a.m.
I was very impressed by the drivers' service too in the few times that I've ridden with them. Good driving, friendly, and even offered me a courtesy water.
Helen Hewitt
Mon, May 24, 2010 : 10:16 a.m.
Great Idea! I'll use your services next time I fly into Detroit Metro!