Capital’s taxis unite in L.P.G. – conversion plan

Press, 5 December 1978, Page 6

Capital’s taxis unite in L.P.G. - conversion plan

!PA Wellington Wellington’s main taxi fleets have formed a new company to convert their cars to run on liquified petroleum gas. It is hoped that ail taxis in Wellington will be using the fuel within the next two years. The new company, Cargas, Ltd, was registered yesterday with the aim of running an L.P.G. storage and refuelling depot in the capital. The more than 300 drivers for Wellington Co-eperative Taxi Owner-drivers Society. Ltd, and Black White and Grey Taxis, Ltd. have been given a booklet, “At the Crossroads,” explaining the possible advantages of running their cars on L.P.G. The manager of Black

[White and Grey'Taxis (Mr ;E. S. Graham) said a site [zoned for dangerous goods I had been obtained, and negotiations for fuel and equipment were continuing. He yvould not say where the o.4ha site was until plans were completed. He said that worries about a gas explosion were mainly unfounded. Several taxis had been using the fuel in the last four years without any problems.

The new company would make sure the depot and conversions were safe and legal. Conversion costs are expected to be $300,000 for the cars. Mr Graham said that using the fuel would reduce the cost of running a taxi and help hold fares. Though the gas was not an economic proposal for the ordinary motorist, the price advantage of L.P.G. over petrol made it attractive to fleet users.