Add Denver International and San Diego International to a growing list of fields promoting greener ground passage to and from the airport.

It’s a trend that’s just now beginning to gain some real traction. Consider:

Denver International, whose snow-white terminal roof mimics the surrounding Rocky Mountains, just designated 18 parking spaces in its garages and economy lots for hybrids.

These hybrid spaces are prime property – nestled near the handicapped spaces in the garages, and close to the shuttle pick-up and drop-off shelters out in the economy lots. There’s no mistaking the spaces. They’re marked with “Reserved Parking, Hybrid Vehicle parking Only” signs.

The spaces are first-come, first-served and standard parking dates apply. Denver officials say if the initial 18 slots don’t meet demand they’ll create more of them.

At San Diego International, 851 miles to the southwest, you’ll be able to hale a hybrid taxi into town – this just as the holiday travel season ramps up.

A new program offers rebates and incentives for hybrid taxis. New Toyota Prius cabs will do the duty. It’s estimated that taxicab operators will save between $1,000 and $1,500 per month – depending on just how many miles they drive.

Over the past several months Cheapflights has been chronicling how airports across the country are getting greener – especially when it comes to ground transportation. We’ve talked about new electric ground support equipment — tugs, baggage loaders and such — at Philadelphia. We’ve shown you how Detroit Metro, Chicago O’Hare, and Detroit Metro airports have installed charging stations for electric cars, providing people a perfect opportunity to charge up while they’re away on a trip.

We’d like to hear from you on how you’d render your local airport greener. What are your ideas? Let us know.

Story by Jerry Chandler

(Image: Ishrona)

environmentally friendly transportation, Green Travel