Cab company adds gas sippers to fleet

Ron Davis’ taxis make plenty of stops for passengers, but don’t see gas stations much.

At 50-plus miles to the gallon, the nine Prius hybrids in TC Transportation Services’ fleet of 21 Spokane cabs use about one-third the gasoline of their Taurus and minivan counterparts.

“We’re trying to be as earth-friendly as possible,” said Davis, the company’s chief operating officer.

In addition to using less gas, the cars emit less pollution.

And unlike other cars, the Prius gets better gas mileage in the city than on the highway. It switches to its electrical system when it’s idling in traffic.

TC Transportation is on the leading edge of cab companies shifting gears to buy hybrid vehicles.

A few Seattle-Tacoma International Airport cabbies recently began using hybrids, but the practice is not widespread.

New York City will require all cabs to be hybrids by 2012.

TC Transportation Services owns 28 Prius hybrids in its entire Eastern Washington fleet, which includes operations in the Tri-Cities, Moses Lake and Wenatchee.

Davis said a Prius costs about $10,000 more than a low-mileage used car, but the gas savings make up for that.

“They’re really cool cars,” he said.

So what do customers think?

Davis said some are initially skeptical, thinking the small car will be cramped. They soon find plenty of room.

Now the company gets requests for a Prius.

Wrapping up on Ash

A summer of detours in northwest Spokane comes to an end this week.

Crews are expected to reopen Ash Street from Francis Avenue to Northwest Boulevard on Tuesday, with the project completed by Friday.

The city of Spokane has now fully repaved Ash and Maple streets from Northwest Boulevard to the Five Mile area.

Next year work moves south to the sections between Northwest Boulevard and the Maple Street Bridge.

Water headaches

Good thing the back-to-school clothes shopping season is over.

Traffic is going to be a bit snarled around NorthTown Mall during the next few weeks.

Spokane crews are replacing a northeast water main, and the work lands at Division Street and Wellesley for the next three weeks.

Expect lane restrictions on the southeast corner of that intersection, said Public Works spokeswoman Ann Deasy-Nolan. Eastbound Wellesley will be closed from Division to Lidgerwood part of the time.

Another closure to watch for is at Freya Street and Euclid Avenue. The intersection will be closed until Sept. 28.

Driver’s ed

The Idaho State Police are offering two free “Road Safe” classes in October to prepare drivers for the upcoming winter weather. (Yeah. It’s coming.)

Classes are at 1 p.m. Oct. 6 and 9 a.m. Oct. 20 at the ISP headquarters at 602 W. Prairie Ave in Coeur d’Alene.

Call (208) 772-6055 to make a reservation.

Slow going

Downtown

•Monroe Street is reduced to one lane in each direction on the north end of the bridge.

•Main Street will be closed from 6-10 p.m. Friday and from 2-10 p.m. Saturday for a block party.

•In Browne’s Addition, First Avenue is closed from Maple Street to Poplar Street. Riverside Avenue is closed from Hemlock Street to the Marne Bridge. There is no parking along those streets or on Cannon Street between Pacific and Riverside avenues.

North Spokane

•Crestline Street is reduced to one lane in each direction from North Foothills Drive/Euclid Avenue to Wellesley Avenue for local access only. Other traffic is being detoured.

South Spokane

•Southeast Boulevard is closed from Perry Street to Fifth Avenue.

Spokane Valley

•Broadway Avenue is closed from Moore Street to Conklin Road until Friday.