There are currently 9 natural gas vehicles in the STITA fleet, with many more set to hit the road in the coming months.

The contract with STITA also requires the Association to pursue efforts to be licensed both in the city of Seattle and in King County. The hope is that STITA cabs could eventually pick up fares downtown, reducing the number of empty cabs returning to the airport. Presently, STITA cabs are unable to pick up passengers in the city and must deadhead back to the airport.

“Beyond cleaner air and solid customer service, this contract has the potential to also reduce the number of vehicles on the road. That’s a very good deal for the Port and the citizens of King County,” Davis said.

Under the two contracts, the amount of airborne pollutants released by airport taxis and shuttles will be reduced by several tons annually.

“We are very excited to partner with the Port’s clean air program and roll out our fleet of natural gas vehicles to improve air quality in the region," said Jimy Sherrell, President and CEO of Shuttle Express.

The new contracts do not bring the Port a great deal of additional revenue. Fees charged to the two companies are intended primarily to cover the Port’s cost in supervising their operations.

“We’re expecting these organizations to invest a great deal of money in their vehicles,” said Gina Marie Lindsey, the Port’s Managing Director of Aviation. “Our prime focus in negotiating these contracts was moving them in the right direction environmentally, not maximizing Port revenue.”

In 2002, the Port opened the area’s first publicly available natural gas refueling station for trucks and cars. The purpose was to have a convenient refueling facility available for companies that do business with the airport. 

“It’s appropriate for the Port to provide the infrastructure for our tenants to do right for the environment,” Lindsey said. “We also hope that nearby cities and other local jurisdictions will consider converting their fleets, using our station as their refueling point.”

Other contract changes include:
• Requiring STITA drivers to pass tests on local geography and English language proficiency;
• Reducing the average age of STITA cabs from seven to six years;
• Requiring Shuttle Express to install electronic vehicle identification systems to monitor the number of trips they make in and out of the airport; and 
• Giving the Port the authority to inspect Shuttle Express vehicles for serviceability and cleanliness.

The contracts approved today by the Port Commission will go into effect on Sept. 1, 2003.

Working with the shuttle and taxi operators is part of the Port of Seattle's alternative fuels program aimed at reducing air emissions as part of regional efforts to ensure compliance with air quality standards and to respond to community concerns regarding air emissions from airport operations. The program includes the purchase of alternative fuel vehicles and equipment by Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (Sea-Tac ) and the development of a natural gas fuel station near the airport in partnership with Clean Energy Fuels Corporation. The Port's fleet already includes more than 60 natural gas vehicles, including Ford Crown Victorias, Ford cargo and passenger vans and Honda Civics. These vehicles are in service throughout airport operations, including the police, fire and security departments. The Port is also operating 16 natural gas New Flyer buses for airport employee transportation and 2 natural gas Elgin street sweepers for use on the airfield and ramp areas.