New rates going into effect June 7 for off-airport vehicles-for-hire have stirred up some controversy. By off-airport, I mean companies not under contract with the Wayne County Airport Authority. Contrary to what you may have heard, any customer using Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) is free to make ground transportation arrangements with whomever they please.
We have contractors who provide taxi service and luxury sedan service at DTW. Those contractors pay a concession fee to DTW which helps offset the cost of operating and maintaining the airport. In return, they are permitted to stage their vehicles at the ground transportation areas. They are always available to transport any customer arriving at DTW who has not made ground transportation arrangements in advance. When you step into a metro airport taxi or luxury sedan, you can be assured that it is a safe, clean vehicle with a knowledgeable driver. The drivers are tested and the safety features of the vehicles are inspected quarterly. Fares for both taxis and luxury sedans to 48 sample area destinations are posted in clear view of the passengers. Off-airport limousines or taxis are not inspected by the Airport Authority.
On June 7, the fees for off-airport vehicles-for-hire using DTW’s ground transportation areas will raise from $3 to $10 per trip. Also, drivers must stay with their vehicles. Some off-airport limo companies want to come into the terminals to perform luggage and wheelchair services. However, this service is already provided by sky cap companies, such as Prospect, Huntleigh and Prime Flight. We will not allow limo drivers to perform those services inside our terminals. We have also noted that when limo drivers are allowed to leave their vehicles unattended in the ground transportation areas, some will engage in the unauthorized solicitation of customers. We do not have the resources to deploy workers to every bag claim device at DTW to prevent this from happening. Our contracted drivers are not allowed to meet customers in the terminal either. If any citizen left a vehicle unattended in one of our ground transportation areas, or on the curb, and walked into the terminal, it would automatically be considered a suspicious vehicle. It would be ticketed and towed to the impound lot.
Some have questioned why the Airport Authority requires its taxi cab and luxury sedan contractors to each have 100 cars in their fleets—calling it anti-competitive. This requirement assures that Detroit Metropolitan Airport will always have sufficient, high quality ground transportation available for arriving passengers, no matter what large events are occurring away from the airport which may lure away cab and limo drivers. Super Bowl XL is a good example.
The Wayne County Airport Authority has the right and the obligation under state and federal law to:
· Regulate traffic in and around the airport and its facilities
· Be as financially self-sufficient as possible
· Protect its revenue streams
· Protect the security of passengers, employees and the public at the airport
· Protect the traveling public from harassment
· Reduce congestion in the terminals and luggage claim areas
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