Eyes rolled at the cabbies' layover lot next to Burbank's Bob Hope Airport when drivers learned about the hybrid taxi rollout.

A taxicab company applying for permission to work in Burbank was promising city officials that all new cabs added to its fleet would have low-emission hybrid engines or use alternative fuels such as compressed natural gas.

Drivers who for years have appreciated the roominess and ruggedness of retired Ford Crown Victoria police and CHP cars that have been converted into cabs wondered what was in store for them.

What came next was $4.60-a-gallon gasoline.

All of a sudden the small but efficient Toyota Prius started looking good to those who drive as much as 300 miles a day carrying around strangers in their back seats.

To their surprise, their fares appreciated the hybrids too.

"Most of my passengers really like it. (more...)