The City of Chicago's Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection announced the extension of the CDA's program on January 6, 2012. The program was launched in August 2011 at both O'Hare and Midway International Airports.  At O'Hare, approximately 30 CNG cabs are used on a daily basis. Nearly 8,000 trips by CNG cabs were made at O'Hare between August 2011 and December 2011. Midway has experienced similar success, with approximately 20 CNG cabs now operating at the airport on a daily basis.

"The Green Taxi program has been a tremendous success," said CDA Commissioner Rosemarie S. Andolino. "Under the leadership of Mayor Rahm Emanuel, the City of Chicago and the Chicago Department of Aviation are deeply committed to incorporating sustainable practices not just at our airports but to also encourage our airport partners to embrace and implement environmentally friendly business practices."

The CDA's Green Taxi Pilot Program gives participating taxis preferential access to O'Hare and Midway terminals by allowing CNG taxis to use the "short trip" lanes that are typically used for wheelchair-accessible vehicles. This new process reduces wait times for taxis to pick up fares.

CNG taxis have traditional car engines that have been converted to run 100 percent on CNG, which is a cleaner fuel than traditional gasoline. The CDA's program complements the City of Chicago's Green Taxi Incremental Cost Allowance Program ("Green Taxi Program") launched in April 2011 by the Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection and the Department of Environment.

To be eligible for "short-trip" or "fast-lane" access at the airports, CNG cabs need to display the official City of Chicago "Green Taxi Chicago Compressed Natural Gas Vehicle" sticker, which can be obtained at the Public Vehicle Inspection Facility at 2420 W. Pershing Road. Questions about the program can be sent to BACPPV@cityofchicago.org or by calling the Public Vehicle Operations Division at (312) 746-4300.

The CDA's program supports the City's goal to achieve the greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals outlined in the Chicago Climate Action Plan. Purchasing CNG instead of gasoline or diesel fuel also reduces dependence on foreign oil, generally costs at least 15 percent less, has a more stable price, requires fewer oil changes, and is less toxic.