Old dogs and new tricks
Wellington's "ol' faithful" taxi-cab company Combined (or Wellington Combined Taxis to give them their full title) have gone through a bit of a transformation in the last 12 months or so.
With the arrival on the scene of new "green" player Green Cabs (about whom we have written -- and been witness to some controversy -- in the past), I guess they were faced with the choice of adapting, or get added to the bottom of the endangered species list.
Happily (for them, us, consumer choice AND the planet that we share) they chose the former.
Read on after the jump to find out what they have been up to..
Early last year, Wellington Combined Taxis made a strong commitment to address the environmental impact of their business. Firstly, they ruled that from mid-2008 no more petrol-only vehicles will be permitted join their taxi fleet (around 450 cars). In addition, they have undertaken to ensure that by the beginning of 2014, their entire fleet will consist of vehicles which are more fuel-efficient than regular petrol-fueled models.
Just 18 months in, they already have over a third of their fleet conforming to their new standard, with nearly 50 hybrids, and five i30 diesels with similar fuel-efficiency profiles to the hybrids. They also run a decent number of bigger vehicles like the Sonata diesel cabs, which are still very efficient compared to petrol vehicles but provide a decent amount of leg-room in the back -- something that will come as music to the ear of many passengers.
Combined have been encouraged by the feedback from the public which has deservedly been very positive, but the process hasn't been without one or two setbacks. In March 2008 they were the subject of a "greenwashing" investigation by the Commerce Commission over claims that they were publishing false and misleading information on their website -- specifically about LPG taxis reducing carbon dioxide pollution, and the fuel efficiency of Nissan Maxima engines. Penalties for breaching the Fair Trading Act include fines of up to $200,000 for a company.
Several months later Combined were issued with a warning by the Commission and advised to change their compliance procedures to ensure future representations are accurate. Combined themselves reckon they fell victim to the (unfortunately not uncommon) trap of relying on the accuracy of information supplied by vendors, but regard the whole thing as a useful learning experience for the company. Taking the Commission's advice they have tightened up their business processes to prevent a recurrance.
There's been another positive outcome, too. It took them two years of hard work, a lot of education and no small amount of dedication but with the support of Landcare Research -- Combined attained carboNZero CertTM certification, the first New Zealand taxi service to do so. (Are they the only? It's hard to locate another.) They meet the requirements of the carboNZero CertTM certification having measured and committed to reducing their greenhouse gas emissions, and then mitigating remaining unavoidable emissions in respect of their organisation -- including the vehicle fleet, office administration, and staff air travel. They're also the only taxi service in the Wellington region (not to mention the entire country) 
listed on Greenlist, the Sustainable Business Network's directory of sustainable products and services. (Huh? No Green Cabs?)
Old dogs are proverbially known for their inability to learn new tricks, but "ol' faithful" Wellington Combined Taxis appear to have done just that. Their fleet is constantly changing and upgrading to newer, more fuel-efficient vehicles, and they closely follow developments in vehicle and fuel-efficiency technology looking for more efficient models they can allow into their fleet. They've decided to do something for the environment, and they're in it for the long haul. (Is it also the commercially-savvy decision? Possibly. Either way, I reckon it's the right one.) Good on them! Shake hands? Good dog.
Combined add: there was a great piece on “Insight” Radio NZ called “Carbon Offsetting”. Ian Telfer goes behind the scenes of carbon offsetting and interviews ourselves (Combined Taxis), Landcare Research (who we got our carboNZero certification from) and Minister for the Environment Dr. Nick Smith. It really gets you thinking and helps you make up your own mind about what is important to you, and the action different companies are taking.
DECISION
Chairman’s Ruling
12 February 2008
Complaint 07/614
AWAP 07/016
Complainant: A. de Graaf – Wellington Combined Taxis
Advertisement: Green Cabs
Complaint: The advertisements for Green Cabs contained the claim: “… we are the first and only taxi company in New Zealand that is aiming to offset the carbon emissions from our vehicles….”
The Complainant, Wellington Combined Taxis, was of the view that the “carbon neutral” claim in the newspaper and radio advertisements was misleading.
The relevant provision was the Code of Ethics, Rule 2.
The Chairman noted that the matter involved two competitors in the market place. Accordingly, he ruled that the matter be heard with the attendance of parties pursuant to Rule 3 of the Complaints Procedures of the Advertising Standards Complaints Board. The Complainant was advised and requested to pay the hearing fee.
The Complaints Board sought confirmation from the Complainant that they wished to proceed with the complaint. Agreement was not forthcoming.
The Chairman ruled that the matter be withdrawn.
Chairman’s Ruling: Complaint Withdrawn
Neato.
When I was visiting my sister in Vancouver last year I was interested to see that virtually all cabs were hybrids. I don't know why that is, but perhaps the well-heeled hippy demographic that both cities have might have something to do with it (I kid! I just took a Combined hybrid home this evening!)
As a very recent former employee of WCT, I'm not surprised at the fast turn around of the fleet. While it sometimes seems like a different story from the outside, they run a pretty tight ship with regards to their fleet. I guess being the big fish in Wellington allows them to push through changes on their drivers without too much fear of them jumping ship - a Combined driver is generally busier than those of most other companies.
I'm actually really impressed by them - they had major changes at the management level last year, which by and large went pretty smoothly.
I'm probably a bit biased - while I no longer work there, I am still rather fond of the staff there. They lost a couple of fantastic managers in the last 18-24 months, but like I said above, it seems they have not lost steam from a commercial perspective.
I seem to remember the company being called, amongst other things, arrogant by various blogs (maybe this one?). Is this the general perception?
a very recent employee? which one?
You guys really need to think about more than just some petrol economy before you go calling a fleet change to prius' better for the planet. just the manufacturing process of the batteries alone should be enough to give gaia a hernia. but of course, to be green in wellington is a matter of sub-cultural acceptance so by all means carry on
flash in a dash man where r u?
I've missed this blog, as since im a WCT shareholder i will let callum say his piece this time. Callum we met one time in walter st when i was picking up, and couldnt help chuckling to myself if only you knew. over to you callum..............
forgot to add, the Camry hybrid will be out soon. check out the website from toyota thailand. maybe i will take a holiday over there and purchase the first one before aussi releases their one.
http://www.toyota.co.th/th/models/camry/camry_hybrid/
yaba daba dooo....come on callum...
Its time a few bus companies took a leaf out of Welligton Combines example on reducing emissions and not only the bus companies but the Wellington Regional Council that subsidises them. Up on the kapiti Coast we have Mana coaches with very large old diesel buses far to big for the roadsru nning 80% empty most of the time, and even at peak transport time barely running at 25% capacity. Its time we had we had had some more enviromently friendly smaller buses such as the smaller mercerdes that run in the Hutt Valley, and that the Wgtn Reg Council took this into account in their subsidies. TAXIS RECEIVE NO SUCH SUBSIDIES AND MY CONGRATULATIONS TO WELLINGTON COMBINED FOR THEIR GREAT ACHIEVEMENT WITHOUT ANY RATEPAYER $ SUPPORT
yeah it's nowhere near as interesting when I haven't replied is it.
The question I'd be asking is why haven't Green Cabs which has been carbon neutral since day one been certified yet. What are/were they waiting for and why? ever played chess? sometimes it's like having a puppet on a string :). I knew flash in a dash... I knew and yet I waited... So why is the question you should be asking yourself. That is what I'd be worried about.
callum...have you lost any work since wct became "certified"....
Callum, one wee little question: How come our carbon credits are used inside NZ, but your co has decide to purchase offahore. cant see the logic in that helping NZ being enviro friendly????
Honestly I don't know but our overall business is definitely still on the increase. We have even picked up some high profile customers this just this week.
Your Carbon Credits aren't used inside New Zealand. They aren't used at all... they are a piece of paper issued at the completion of a project such as a windfarm so that the company can recoup the cost of building it in the first place. you then give it to someone else who in effect cancels it. So what did you do actually? What did you do for the New Zealand environment? bought some pieces of paper? ...and then gave them to someone else to cancel. I hope they recycled them once they were cancelled I hope they had the foresight to print them on recycled paper in the first place. Otherwise you may have just killed a tree to produce the paper for all those carbon credits.
The next two problems are what about the emissions used to build the project in the first place, how were they offset (were they offset.
Who has measured to see if the reductions have actually happened?? Was there an actual reduction in coal electricity production realised Y/N?
The problem is dirty CO2 producing company can stick their hand in their pocket and buy Carbon Credits. They didn't help build the project in any way shape or form. This amoung many other reasons is why the majority of the population think Carbon Credits are a crock of s%$#.
Funnily we still offer to buy carbon credits for our customers if they really really want them. To date not one has.
Better to replant the rainforests around the world.
So Green Cabs pays to have trees planted in agroforestry programmes in a number of countries around the world where the resource is needed the most and actually has a real tangible benefit on people and communities. Most importantly our customers (and our competitors for that matter :) get it. They really love what it is that we do and want to be a part of it. Even Iconic New Zealand brands like Ice Breaker have started to use Trees for the Future so the momentum is definitely growing.
We might not have replanted a rainforest but hey we're just getting started.
As far as helping New Zealand become Eco Friendly.... Have you seen our cars?? have you seen all the major taxi companies scrambling to put as many low emission vehicles in their fleet as quickly as they can?? But don't worry there's much more to come.
CB... i just a cab driver...what do you mean about all this cabon credits paper etc?..i always told that ccredits could be traded on market somewhere..please explain man
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