Environmentally-focused taxi company Greencabs has expanded its fleet of bright green taxis to Queenstown, in addition to operations in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.
Greencabs general manager Karen Malfait said a Greencabs' Queenstown expansion - a long-time desire of the company - had come about as a result of its southern manager fleeing the Christchurch earthquake.
"She was running a fleet of cabs up there when the February 22 earthquake happened and she escaped to Queenstown on the day of the earthquake. Her family down there said she should try it in Queenstown, and we said 'if you are ready to put in some hard yards, we are happy for you to set up," Mrs Malfait said.
The Queenstown operation so far has five cars, with two drivers working around the clock on each.
Mrs Malfait expected the fleet would expand. More Priuses were being upgraded to company specifications with leather interiors, guidance systems and the signature vibrant green paintwork.
"I'm not sure how many, but there's talk of between 15 to 20 cars and seeing how the market can handle that many cars down here."
The new taxis have had a "great response" from tourists and residents, "who we have offered a discount, as well, so the locals are quite happy to see us", she said.
The company's fares - aided by the low cost of running the hybrid cars - would work out cheaper than other major taxi companies, in addition to the company's environmental benefits, she said.
"We are all about the environment and what we do is actually plant trees as well for our company ... in developing countries. The last lot we planted was 80,000 trees in Ghana."
