Austin, TX — Yellow Cab received the Austin Chamber of Commerce 2009 “Take On Traffic” award (medium-size division) in recognition of the company’s commitment to and achievement of congestion reduction through various commuting solutions.

Yellow Cab incorporates a number of innovative strategies and sophisticated technology to minimize the impact its fleet has on traffic congestion.

Yellow Cab’s GPS-enabled, computer dispatched system matches each request for service with the closest available cab in the fleet, thus reducing the miles an independent contractor driver to reach the customer.

The company’s Automated Call Taker (ACT) system has many features, including one that verifies that callers still require services during longer-than-usual wait times, which reduces the likelihood of a cab driving to pick up a passenger who is no longer in need of service.

Additionally, the company works closely with City of Austin and the business community to establish cabstands, which provide independent contractor cab drivers the opportunity to park and turn off their vehicles while waiting for customers. Cabstands remove a good portion of the traffic congestion caused the traditional taxi business model, in which taxi drivers circle an area, seeking customers who want to flag them down.

Finally, Yellow Cab designated a small fleet dedicated to serving Round Rock. Because those taxis are available to answer requests for service within the Round Rock area, taxis no longer travel through Austin to provide service to customers in Round Rock.

Yellow Cab employees contribute to addressing Austin’s traffic congestion beyond the role that taxicabs play.

Members of the Yellow Cab staff have served on civic organizations devoted to reducing Austin traffic congestion. Yellow Cab representatives served on the Clean Air Force Board of Directors; the Chamber’s “Take on Traffic” project; and the transportation committee of 6ixth Street Austin (a nonprofit devoted to improving the downtown district).

Yellow Cab employees have worked together to take personal responsibility for reducing traffic congestion, including carpooling and scheduling shifts in a non-traditional schedule to allow them to commute during off-peak traffic hours.

“As a leader in Austin’s transportation industry, it is only appropriate that we do all that we can, as a company and as individuals, to boost Austin’s quality of life by addressing traffic congestions,” said General Manager Ed Kargbo. “We are grateful to the Chamber for recognizing our efforts.”

About Greater Austin Transportation Company

Greater Austin Transportation Company is the parent company of Yellow Cab,  Austin’s largest and most modern computer dispatched taxi fleet.  Serving the Austin area with high-tech transportation solutions since 1985, Yellow Cab’s taxi service is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.  All cabs are operated by independent contractor drivers and are equipped with digital cameras as well as a Global Positioning System.  For more information, visit www.YellowCabAustin.com or call (512) 452-9999.

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