Good news for cab drivers, the environment, and Ford Motor Company. An article from The Auto Channel (hats off to Gizmodo for the pointer) describes the result of the experimental introduction of Hybrid Ford Escapes into the taxi systems in New York and San Francisco.

The result is that the gas savings over the 100,000 trial were about $20-31 per shift (150-300 miles) depending on weather, traffic, etc. Further, they're doing better at other consumables, such as brake pads. All in all, one driver indicates that the $4,000 premium cost for the vehicle is outweighed by the $5,000 in savings per year (estimated).