A private hire transport company based in Edinburgh has revealed plans to introduce Smart cars to its fleet in the New Year with the aim of reducing emissions and providing speedy and economical transportation for single passenger journeys.

Edinburgh Private Hire believe the new Smart car taxi service will be especially popular as it estimates that currently 55% of the trips undertaken by its drivers from its base at Edinburgh Airport are for single passengers.

Smart cars will not only help the company to reduce its CO2 emissions, but also enhance fuel consumption and also ease congestion due to the size of the pint size vehicles which makes them ideal for city driving.

The private hire firm is committed to green travel and says that in the future, they hope to introduce electric powered vehicles, however at the moment, the lack of charging points in the city would be a cause for concern for them. Until electric powered cars prove viable for the firm, the Smart cars will assist Edinburgh Private Hire in its bid to provide eco friendly travel.

Edinburgh Private Hire hope to have the first of their Smart cars up and running in the first quarter of 2012 after the City Council granted permission and waived licence conditions.

The company say they hope to pass on the savings to the customer through reduced fares as the cost would be set for single passengers.