Green Cab helping to shrink the carbon footprint - media release

Green Cab helping to shrink the carbon footprint Immediate Release                                                                                                   23   September 2011 A Cape Town based company is breaking new ground in eco-tourism after becoming South Africa's only carbon-neutral transport service.  Green Cab provides the country's first cost effective green tourism transport solution by using modified vehicles which use environmentally friendly fuels. Shuttle, taxi and tour services for tourists, locals and conference delegates are done using vehicles that have been converted to run on both Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) and a B50 blend of Biodiesel (used cooking oil). LPG's percentage reduction in harmful emissions as compared to petrol include: 75% less carbon Monoxide; 85% less Hydrocarbon; 40% less Oxide and Nitrogen and roughly 10% less Carbon Dioxide. Biodiesel reduces the latter between 30 – 50%. These lower-carbon options provide clients with an opportunity to mitigate their carbon emissions in the fight against global warming. Most of Green Cab's vehicles are supplied by Hyundai SA because it was the only vehicle manufacturer in SA willing to extend warranties on new vehicles once they were converted to run duel –fuel.  Their growing fleet is made up of Hyundai Elantras, Hyundai 9 seater people carriers and a 19 seater Mercedes Sprinter mostly used for daily tours and shuttling conferencing delegates. Conference packages are tailor made and include welcome desks at airports for the delegates and transfers to and from hotels and conference venues. Green Cab offers delegates the opportunity to calculate their carbon footprint based on air and land travel and will issue them with certificates regarding this. Green Cab will also assist the companies hosting the conference to offset their carbon emissions by organising for them to fund a community based green energy project such as installing a solar heater at a school. Companies are then issued with a "Green Transport Certificate", certifying that the transport component of the conference was Carbon neutral through the off-setting of the emissions.  Green Cab is run by the "Green Ladies", a group of women who have pooled their expertise in order to start a green transport revolution in South Africa. Proving that their business is a success, Green Cab took top honours in the 2010/2011 in the Emerging Tourism Entrepreneur Award (ETEYA) competition by emerging as the provincial winners for the Western Cape. Western Cape MEC for Finance, Economic Development and Tourism Alan Winde said: "Our economy is built on the energy and sustainability of our entrepreneurs and in the tourism industry the emphasis is on responding to demand in a sustainable manner. The Green Cab initiative speaks to growing tourism responsibly and on behalf of the Western Cape tourism industry I would like to commend their efforts." The "Green Rail and Ride" shuttle offers tourists the opportunity to travel by train from Cape Town to Simonstown, enabling them to enjoy the stunning coastal scenery, and then continue to Cape Point on the Green Bus. Tickets for the whole tour can be purchased at Cape Town Station. Taxi journeys and airport transfers are also available. Information and booking procedures can be found on the Green Cab website or on www.webtickets.co.za. Alive2green, is South Africa' leading sustainability focused media company.  Gordon Brown has degrees in economics and law, 17 years' experience in media and is a GreenStar Accredited Professional.  Gordon has been involved in sustainability since 2002 when he launched Progress magazine to coincide with the Johannesburg Summit on Sustainable Development. More information including pricing is available at www.thegreencab.co.za For additional information and interview requests, please contact: Candi Matavele at 011 506 7300 and visit www.transportandmobility.co.za

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