Heat-caused leaks plague propane-powered taxis

The excessive hot weather of the past few days has caused headaches for operators of Yellow-Checker-Star Cab Co., whose fleet of propane-fueled taxis have sprung heat-related leaks.

"We are continually monitoring the cabs to check for leaks (in the fuel lines and safety valves)," Yellow Cab Director of Operations Bill Shranko said today. "When we find them, we take them off the road and fix them.

"It's mostly because of the real hot weather, which makes this an annual occurrence for us."

Shranko said the odds are "millions-to-1" against the cabs exploding because of leaks in the system.

"Propane is one of the safest and cleanest fuels and one of the most misunderstood," he said. "While there are 10 or 12 gasoline-related explosions a year, you do not see propane tank explosions."

Shranko noted that his cabs have traveled 500 million miles with just one incident. Actually, there have been two.

The one he is referring to occurred in March during a two-car auto accident at Charleston Boulevard and 15th Street, which snarled traffic after a cab's ruptured propane tank fuel line gushed the potentially explosive liquid gas onto the street.

Police blocked off the roads following the spectacular pre-dawn accident where a Checker Cab was struck by a Dodge Mini Van. The cab driver was transported to a local hospital with minor injuries. The 16-year-old driver of the other vehicle was taken into custody. There were no passengers in either vehicle.

"That may not have been a propane incident after all because investigators now believe that the leak that posed the danger may have been from the gasoline-fueled vehicle," Shranko said.

He noting that a "stench" is put into propane by the manufacturer to help folks detect leaks by the sense of smell.

The other incident occurred in September 1997, when a propane-fueled Yellow-Checker cab blew up outside the Palace Station, prompting the Taxicab Authority to order every cab in the fleet to be inspected.

Shranko said the most common leaking problems have been caused by too much pressure, which is related to the heat. That pressure has caused the bleeder valves on the tanks to blow, he said.

When that happens, the cabs are immediately removed from the streets and serviced before they return to duty, Shranko said.

As a result, drivers, attempting to fuel up for their shifts, are being delayed at the pumps. Some drivers claim that instead of being issued another vehicle when their cabs are removed for leak repair, they are being sent home.

Shranko acknowledged that such incidents have angered some of the drivers because it hurts their potential to earn a living.

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