Senior Citizens Take Advantage of Transportation Bailout from Cab Company NEWS CHANNEL 8

Montgomery County Md. - Regency Cab is trying to help out senior citizens through the tough economic times by providing free riders under a program called the 'Senior Citizen Transportation Bailout'. Available since January 2009, the program is designed to help elderly citizens with tight budgets gain access to necessary appointments or meet up with friends or family. It has been available since January 2009 and is already having a big impact. Aspen Hill resident Joann Reid usually catches a cab to get around town. "I go from my house to the doctor or from here to the doctor." Paying for a taxi can be very costly, so Regency Cab is offering free rides to senior citizens in Montgomery County. "We do not question where they are going or what they are doing. As long as they are over seventy-years-old, they qualify," said David Mohebbi, Regency Cab president. Other guidelines include making trip requests at least 24 hours in advance and they can only be about 10 miles. Round tips are allowed if the wait time is less than 15 minutes. Passengers will also be asked to show a proof of age and sign a receipt at the end of the trip. "We've had many, many calls and we've served around a hundred per single month," said Mohebbi. Gladys Alcantara has picked up and dropped off seniors in need. She says she's happy to help. "I feel like a very important person doing this job and I feel like I'm really doing something very good for these people. They need it," said Alcantara. Reid says she's happy there is a company that recognizes times are tight. She has already used the service four time and she knows she would have to re-budget her finances if the service wasn't available. "I'm very thankful." The company will offer a maximum of 100 free trips per month. But so far, Regency hasn't had to turn anyone down. The company president says the transportation bailout will run through the end of the year.

Regency Cab turns to biofuel taxis
Gaithersburg company to use flex-fuel, 6-cylinder cars, GAZETTE.NET

Regency Cab of Gaithersburg is joining other businesses in using and promoting alternative fuel, to cut costs and help the environment at the same time. Regency, the second largest taxi fleet in Montgomery County, has placed into service what it says are the county's first flex-fuel taxi vehicles and is cutting back on the number of 8-cylinder vehicles in its 146-cab fleet. "We are taking the environmentally responsible step of introducing flex-fuel taxis and cars with smaller engines," said David Mohebbi, president of Regency Cab, in a statement. "That means that Regency drivers will help reduce air pollution and lower gas consumption." Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett (D) said in a statement, "Regency is leading by example. I hope more companies follow Regency's lead in cutting our dependence on foreign oil and fuel consumption." Last month, Regency was awarded 25 new taxi licenses by Montgomery County in a competitive selection process. Mohebbi decided that the company would purchase five Chevrolet Impala flex-fuel cars that run on biofuel, E-85. The vehicles are generally more expensive than conventional gasoline-powered cars, but the ethanol blend is generally cheaper than regular gasoline. Biofuel must contain at least 85 percent renewable ingredients to qualify for the designation. Mohebbi said that, in addition to the environmental benefits, his drivers also will benefit from the switch. "These new cars will allow my drivers to spend less money on fuel," he said. He also said that Regency is further reducing its gas consumption by replacing its aging 8-cylinder models with 6-cylinder cars and that this change will reduce gas consumption and pollution by 25 percent.