Fall 2012

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AIRPORT GROUND TRANSPORTATION ASSOCIATION

Operators and Airports WORKING TOGETHER for Better Customer Service

A message from David Bird, 2012—2014 AGTA President... It is with great anticipation and excitement that I prepare to take the reign from Don Eames as President of AGTA. Under Don’s leadership we have had great meetings in both content and venue. Orlando, San Jose, and Ft Myers were spirited and well attended. Don also runs a great Board Meeting, keeping us all on track. As my first order of business, I extend a sincere thank you to Don for his leadership as President and his 20+ years as a member of AGTA. The next two years will be challenging for AGTA, airports and the shared ride Industry. Although there are constant industry issues and ever-changing market conditions, resolving and finding solutions to current issues will have long lasting impact. Technology and its numerous capabilities have a great deal to do with this. As an example, the way reservations are booked and how we connect those reservations to the proper service provider is evolving at an extremely fast pace. This in turn affects payment of services, airport contracts, airport David Bird congestion, and most importantly, customer service. THE GAVEL Regulatory agencies are revisiting rules and regulations that impact many areas of our industry. From business relationships between service providers and driver operators to new safety requirements, ADA, PASSES FROM employee requirements and fuel choice options there is a great deal to pay attention to. DON EAMES TO Lastly, reducing costs and maximizing revenues is challenging for all of us. We need to be especially DAVID BIRD cognizant of the impact of passing along fees - as it may be to the detriment of the traveling public – our mutual customers. For all these reasons, the AGTA will need participation by its membership now more than ever. We often talk about increasing our membership, which is important, but so is increasing the focus of our existing group. Therefore, I have few thoughts for the coming years. PLAN AHEAD Position Papers As an association, we have always taken a position on certain issues. In fact, a few were documented and AGTA Spring 2013 put into draft form. Going forward, this process needs to continue and be even more a key focus. Some positions are more controversial than others, so we will start small and work up to the larger more complicated Asheville Meeting, ones. In many cases, a full recommendation may be difficult to develop, but we can still document the pros and March 17 - 20 at cons for airports and operators to consider prior to making business decisions. the Renaissance Provide More Opportunities Present and open up more opportunities to the membership to participate. As experts in our field our Asheville Hotel association carries some weight. From presentations on industry topics, to adding content for future meetings, to ($109/night) in joining sub-committees or running breakout sessions, there are a great many opportunities for all members to get more involved. Provide more opportunities for Associate Members ASHEVILLE, NC Associate members play a very important role in our association. The Board is currently looking for ways to increase value and active participation from this segment of our membership. In the coming years we hope to provide Associate Members greater visibility and opportunity to provide the membership with goods and services. Increase Membership

One of the best things about AGTA is that we are small. We are also the only group that has Airports, Operators, Associates, and Vendors working together for the common good. Having said that, we can still WHERE benefit from adding members in all areas. There are certainly airports, operators and associates that are missing - IN THE NEWS ... people in the industry who could potentially add perspective to our group and additional expertise in areas where we are lacking. This is something we can all think about and work on going forward. The four goals outlined are not revolutionary by any means. They are, however, areas we need to focus on while maintaining the culture that AGTA has built over time. This culture has always been to have informative, AP Taxi...... 2 helpful and productive meetings choosing interesting locations to visit. It also means having plenty of time for professional and social interaction among all industry partners. Bottom line, the respect and friendships that AP Executive...... 10 have been developed over the years is what keeps us all looking forward to the next meeting. AP Parking...... 15 AP Bus...... 19 David Bird AP New Services....24 Senior Vice President Operations AP Van...... 27 SuperShuttle International, Inc.

Airport Ground Transportation Association

Airport Taxi News Editor’s Comments

The summer’s news about airport taxi issues appeared at first to offer nothing really new, but if we look back over the past few months there may be several trends developing. For one, when pushed to their limit, airport officials can and do make the very difficult decision to clean up their embarrassing taxi operations once and for all. To that point, is Charlotte, North Carolina’s clean-up in preparation of the recently completed Democratic National Convention, the first taxi article. Supplied with more than 12 different taxi companies of every stripe and color, poor service, credit card refusals, and cabs that long ago should have been retired, Charlotte Aviation Director, Jerry Orr, made the heroic decision to take the taxi industry head on – to reduce the number to only three taxi companies with a limited number of taxis to serve the airport. In addition, newer vehicles, driver dress codes, and commitments to serve the airport are also now required. While we have previously reported on the contraction to only three cab companies, we now have the results of this effort – excellent service in environmentally friendly vehicles with well-dressed and knowledgeable drivers. Drivers report a much better standard of living and quality of life on the job. No more 20-hour days, but rather a regular 8- hour day serving, primarily, the airport. Displaced taxi drivers, who can no longer wait in the airport taxi line, find that there is taxi life after the airport holding lot. The point of this article should be yet another success story of an airport executive who, with at least the majority backing of his aviation board, took up the political fight to clean up the poor taxi service at his airport. Hats off to Jerry Orr! He once more proves that cleaning up an airport taxi service is not rocket science – It's relatively simple – not very complicated, but it take a lot of political will and sometimes a big push like the DNC coming to town for officials to get serious about addressing the problem and its solution. Unfortunately, far too many airport officials and their boards are content to let the airline travelling public suffer poor, sometimes surly, sometimes unsafe, sometimes overly expensive taxi service because it is easier just to ignore the problem or insist they just want to protect the poor taxi driver. The reality is that cleaning up airport taxi service is the best way to help the poor taxi driver. The lack of good airport taxi service provides the foundation for such articles as the one found in USA Today titled, “Don’t get taken for a ride by airport taxi scammers”. Unfortunately, the advice in this article about how to avoid a bad airport taxi trip would be extremely unrealistic for most of our North American busy airports. The author advises savvy travelers to do their homework by getting an estimate of the trip cost prior to arriving at the airport or by asking the taxi dispatcher or driver – to agree to a price before getting into the cab, and to carry small bills. Can you imagine what a busy airport cab line would be like with every other passenger attempting to “negotiate” a price prior to departure? Cleaning up the cab line would be a lot easier for everyone! The author of this negative airport taxi article did at least have one good suggestion - When faced with a dubious- looking cab line, call Taxi Magic. At least with the Taxi Magic app, users are getting a regulated and vetted taxi company dispatcher that is presumed to stand in back of their service. Ironically some airport officials who already have a proper foundation for excellent taxi service – a concession agreement with a single provider, are moving in the other direction as reported in the Edmonton International Airport article. Edmonton airport officials are opening up their taxi system to taxi companies that cannot pick up at the airport, and allowing these taxi company drivers to bring passengers back to the airport. This is a positive move providing a more efficient two way service. However, this new arrangement calls for not one, but five taxi companies at the airport. Of course, with five taxi companies, there is a need for a taxi starter system and a mechanism to keep the peace among five competing taxi company drivers, thereby potentially increasing taxi dispatch costs. Generally, unless the single taxi service agreement is poorly drafted and the service quality is just terrible, it is difficult to see how multiple companies will do a better job than one. In Edmonton’s case however several of the larger taxi companies (Yellow, Barrel & Checker Cab) are under a single management system with an excellent service record. And there is a limit on the total number of cabs. However, we wish the airport and their airline traveling public the best in this venture. Having a single airport taxi concession is not without its problems, as seen in this article about the BWI taxi concession extension, pointing out that a major factor in the taxi concession controversy was the labor status of the

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independent contractor night shift drivers. These taxi drivers formed an “association” that was recognized by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) to not be a traditional labor union but having such status for the purposes of collectively bargaining for ( wages) and working conditions. The NLRB appeared to be creating a new class of workers which fell somewhere between the traditional definition of an independent contractor and an employee – a dependent contractor. In some form of twisted logic, this would be an individual working as an independent contractor but working for a company or entity that had a single contract – in this case, dependent on the airport concession agreement. A collective bargaining agreement with drivers is not typically, in itself, a problem for third party transportation providers. If the current provider loses a subsequent bid for providing the service, both the company and its drivers lose the concession contract. However, in the BWI case, the collective bargaining taxi drivers were arguing that they should be retained as an in-place bargaining unit for whomever wins the taxi concession contract. In order to avoid, or at least kick, the labor issues down the road, it would appear Maryland officials found a way to extend the existing concession holder contract until the year 2017, thereby sidestepping the issues. Seems to be a lot of this managerial style in Washington these days! The remaining taxi articles all have a single theme – increased taxi fares. It would seem that cities like Philadelphia, Seattle, New York, and San Diego have all found ways to increase taxi fares to the airline traveling public. Philadelphia is adding a $2.75 airport service charge; Seattle is adding $8.00 to their flat fare from the airport – a 25% increase; New York is hiking cab fares by 17%; and San Diego is adding $2.00 to the departing airport trip fee. Obviously, officials feel all these fee increases are necessary and some may be long overdue. However, one has to be aware of the competition to airport taxi service from sedan and shared ride van services. As the cost of the airport taxi trip increases, their market share of deplaning airport passengers shrinks. One has only to look at the City of Denver when it opened DIA. Taxi departures from the airport dropped by 50% or more due to the relative cost of alternatives. The final taxi article deals with a familiar airport taxi trait, the long-haul. Knowing airline passengers may not know the shortest way to their destination, some airport taxi drivers are predisposed to make every airport trip count by generating more revenue per trip. In Las Vegas this has become a significant problem due to the increased number of taxi permits so the drivers feel their only recourse is to take the longer route, thereby generating a larger tip. Ironically, Vegas taxi drivers are not independent contractors that retain all revenues from the taxi trip but, rather, are employees of the taxi companies they drive for. Under these conditions, one might assume there would be no long- haul problem since the company – not the driver, would be the primary beneficiary of the increased taxi fare. However, this has not been the case, and Nevada authorities, as the article points out, are cracking down on long-haul drivers with significant fines and days off.

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A New Taxi Landscape In Charlotte - holding lot, playing backgammon or watching TV while they waited a turn at the baggage claim curb. Just In Time For DNC Now, airport staff meet regularly with the cab com-

By Julie Rose pany owners and assign driver schedules based on flight WFAE Aug 30, 2012 traffic. Over in the taxi holding lot, a TV blares to an empty break room and drivers are dispatched back to the curb almost as fast as they arrive. "It's so nice," says Yellow Cab airport driver Ali Adem. "We have more time for our family now." Adem says he works just eight hours a day but makes the same money he made before the taxi changes at the airport. "With more time for our family," Adem emphasizes. The good hours and predictability of the airport driver's job does come with some higher costs. Cab drivers in Charlotte typically own their own cars and pay for their own insurance, maintenance and gas. Most were required to buy new cars in order to keep op- New taxis await customers at the airport baggage claim exit. Photo: Julie Rose erating at the airport. They get to keep their fares and A taxi will be the first impression many DNC atten- tips, but pay a weekly fee to the cab company. Those fees dees get of Charlotte and the city has gone to great have doubled to more than $300 a week for many airport lengths to make sure it's a good one. Last year, most cab drivers. companies were kicked out of the airport and strict rules The DNC should be a lucrative time for them, but implemented for those that remain. probably not for the rest of the city's cabs. Angry taxi drivers unsuccessfully sued to block the "We may make less, I don't know," says King Cab move and complained they would lose their livelihoods. driver Abdullahi Hirsi. WFAE's Julie Rose reports on the outcome of that contro- One reason Hirsi thinks profits may be worse during versial change. the DNC for street drivers like himself is that road clo- The other night, Charlotte Aviation Director Jerry sures will limit where he can cruise for passengers Up- Orr found himself without a ride home from work at the town. airport. So he hailed a cab. The driver knew exactly who Plus, most Charlotte hotels don't call taxis for their he was. guests - they use limo companies that are bringing in "I could tell he was a little nervous," says Orr with a more than 100 extra cars for the DNC. chuckle. "But you know, he opened the door. The cab And then there are the free shuttles. was immaculate. He knew right where to go. He was per- Once delegates catch an airport taxi to their hotels, fect." they'll have private DNC buses to shuttle them around That was a payoff moment for Orr who took a lot of town. criticism when he decided last year to whittle the hodge- There's an extra sting in all of this for cab drivers podge of 12 cab companies doing airport business down who worked at the airport for years and looked forward to just three - Crown, Yellow and City Cab. to the DNC before they were displaced by the new con- Orr promised that working with fewer companies tract system. would make it easier to monitor quality and enforce Abdul Rajak is one of several dozen trying to make things like a dress code. the most of things by forming their own company - he view from the curb proves he was right. The cabs United Cab. Rajak's minivan has a new paint job and a are all nearly new. Many are even hybrids. They're buffed tablet computer with the latest dispatch technology. to a shine and equipped with the latest credit card tech- Rajak says all the dire warnings last year from driv- nology. They're also being dispatched more efficiently, ers who said they'd lose their shirts if forced out of the says Orr. airport turned out to be overblown. In the old days, airport taxi drivers basically worked "It has not turned out that way," says Rajak. whenever they wanted. There were often too many of "Because most of our drivers are experienced drivers them on duty, so it was common to see them sitting in the which have been driving this town more than 20 and 25

Page 4 Airport Ground Transportation Association years." can help you find a legit option: Taxi Magic, which works in They know the streets. They have loyal customers more than 25 U.S. cities. who call them for rides. They've recovered quickly, Readers, any tips of your own? says Rajak. And they're looking beyond the DNC, back to the Nevada Taxicab Authority cracking airport. down on long hauling Charlotte Aviation Director Jerry Orr recently re- By Tim O'Reiley newed contracts with Yellow, Crown and City Cab, but Las Vegas Review-Journal Sep. 04, 2012 says next year he may let other companies bid. United Cab plans to be ready.

Don't get taken for a ride by airport taxi scammers By Laura Bly USA TODAY June 06, 2012 The recent sentencing of a New York driver who ille- gally picked up four passengers at John F. Kennedy Interna- tional Airport - and forced them to ride along as he tried to elude police - is the latest high-profile example of a persis- tent travel scam: Getting conned by an airport cabbie. As Budget Travel pointed out earlier this year, "national or international organization tracks statistics on cab scams, and many drivers are surely honest. That said, we all know that each and every city in the world has its unscrupulous drivers." Case in point: New York's Bhupinder Singh, who pleaded guilty to a charge of unlawful imprisonment and will serve six months in jail. On Feb. 21, Singh picked up four arriving visitors from Panama, locked the doors to his Lin- Jeff Scheid/Las Vegas Review-Journal File Photo coln Town Car and threw the vehicle into reverse when an People catch taxis at McCarran International Airport in November. Nevada Taxicab officer patrolling JFK noticed the driver illegally soliciting Authority officials have been cracking down on long hauling, the practice of using roundabout routes to carry passengers between the Strip and McCarran as a way to customers, according to the Queens District Attorney's of- boost fares. fice. After Singh drove off at a "high rate of speed," the Huff- ington Post says, one of the passengers "grabbed the steering While bargaining for lesser fines for traffic tickets is wheel and pulled it to the right, causing Singh's vehicle to an everyday event for the general public, that option has crash into a guardrail." disappeared for taxi drivers caught long hauling, or run- Two passengers sustained minor injuries as Singh aban- ning up the tab on unsuspecting tourists. doned the vehicle and ran away on foot; police arrested him As part of the tougher enforcement stance in recent after a brief pursuit. weeks, Nevada Taxicab Authority officials have stopped "As this case clearly illustrates, unregulated taxis and settling citations for less than the statutory penalties, unscrupulous drivers -- who are not properly licensed and who do not carry appropriate insurance -- put passengers at which range from $100 for the first offense to $350 for serious risk," District Attorney Richard Brown said in a the fourth. statement. They have also started to recommend that hearing So, how do you avoid a bad trip by cab? officers suspend taxi licenses for three to 10 days starting A sampling of Budget Travel's helpful advice: with the second offense. -Get a ballpark estimate of how much your airport ride A fifth offense can lead to license revocation. should cost before you arrive (or ask the taxi stand manager). "We know we won't stop long hauling completely," -Agree to a price (including luggage) before you get in the authority administrator Charles Harvey said. "But we cab, and have local currency in small bills to avoid driver want to send a message to create a deterrent." claims of "I don't have any change." Long hauling, Las Vegas-style, involves carrying - Only take licensed taxis that are regulated and require driv- ers to show a license with a photo. Among the free apps that passengers between the Strip and McCarran International

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Airport via a roundabout route that includes the Las vey said, training curriculum for both staff and drivers is Vegas Beltway. This can boost a typical $16 fare to being revised to play up long hauling. Further, he said, $26 or more, depending on how far the detour the authority's enforcement arm now puts more emphasis stretches. on halting long hauling, although it has only 21 officers Although long hauling has plagued visitors for and is coping with eight vacant positions. That forces the more than a decade, many people in the industry be- authority to pay less attention to other areas. lieve the practice has become more prevalent in the The changing priorities are part of making the author- recent past. In the absence of hard numbers, drivers ity more flexible in it operations. estimate that at least a third and perhaps more than half "Traditionally, we used to react," he said. "We are of the trips involve excess mileage. looking to become more creative. We recognize this is a The issue probably will resurface Sept. 24, as the tremendous challenge and we need to utilize all the re- authority board considers granting taxi companies more sources at our disposal." permanent medallions, the permits that must accom- pany cabs in operation. Drivers contend that new me- Airport hands out new taxi contracts dallions granted last year put too many cabs on the Cabbies will be asked to take part in streets, diluting their income under a revenue-sharing ambassador program system used by companies and drivers in Las Vegas By Michael Gregory and prompting some to long haul to make up the differ- Edmonton Journal May 23, 2012 ence. Cab company owners contend that more cabs im- Edmonton International Airport has awarded four prove service and boost their competitiveness against new contracts to taxi companies in an effort to improve other forms of transportation, such as shuttle vans and service for travellers. limos. The five-year contracts went to Airport Taxi Service, Besides the stiffer penalties, the authority also has Co-op Taxi, 24-7 Taxi and Greater Edmonton Taxi Ser- instituted random checks of cabs leaving the airport via vice Inc., made up of Yellow Cab, Barrel Taxi, Checker the under-runway tunnel to the Beltway. The checks Cabs and Prestige Cabs, and will be effective at the end started prior to the Electric Daisy Carnival music festi- of June. val in June and are now a weekly event at sporadic in- About 200 cabs will be licensed to pick up airport tervals, Harvey said. fares. It's hard to gauge the crackdown's effect, but Har- Under the former 2006 contract, Leduc-based Airport vey said passenger complaints filed with the authority Taxi held the sole service contract from the airport. have declined while 530 citations were written in June - But that agreement led to complaints because Air- more than double the 260 in May. port's drivers are only allowed to transport customers Others say the impact is minor, at best. While say- from the airport, not on the return trip. ing he supports the stepped-up enforcement, veteran Myron Keehn, the airport's vice-president of com- driver Stephen Lenett said he doesn't think drivers will mercial development, said the inclusion of new compa- change their ways. nies would not only reduce that problem, but also provide "The problem is so enormous that it's like swatting further benefits to travellers. a few flies off an elephant," said Lenett, with Whittle- Coun. Amarjeet Sohi said he was pleased with the sea Blue Cab/Henderson Taxi. "The elephant doesn't decision to award contracts to local businesses. "One know they are there because it is so large." thing we heard as an ongoing concern from Edmonton- Sam Moffitt, a driver with Yellow Cab and a stew- based companies was that they were excluded from pro- ard with the Industrial Technical Professional Employ- viding service to the airport." ees Union, said, "If you want to stop long hauling, then As part of the new deal, the city agreed last January fine the companies the same amounts as the drivers and to issue 100 new taxi licences if contracts were awarded long hauling will end immediately." to those area companies. The five taxi services who ap- To do that, Harvey said, Nevada law requires that plied to the airport were assessed on several criteria, in- the authority prove that a taxi company was complicit cluding commitment to access and sustainability. in long hauling. A total of 56 hybrid vehicles and 21 wheelchair- "So far, we have not been able to prove up a case," accessible vehicles will now be made available to passen- he said. gers, with a greater emphasis placed on improved 24- Although less visible than the other measures, Har- hour service.

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Drivers will also be asked to participate in a new fares there. taxi ambassador program that's being developed after Over the past year, delays have plagued the procure- successful models at other North America airports. ment of a taxi contract for BWI airport. At a series of Keehn said customer service ratings jumped when board meetings last year, cab drivers turned out in force similar training was introduced in the Halifax and Van- to protest provisions they feared would cost them their couver. jobs and hurt business. That included a bid from Dulles The new initiative educates drivers on everything Airport Taxi, Inc. that would have dramatically changed from English as a second language to furthering their the business model and reduced the number of cab opera- knowledge of local history and tourism. tors. "Many people who come to our city, taxi drivers Controversy surrounding plans by the out-of-state are their first point of contact, and so they are our true Dulles Airport Taxi as well as federal complaints about ambassadors," said Sohi. "The more information they the cabbies labor status as independent contractors led to have available, the better they can convey it." a delay in the process. After soliciting additional bids Also up for further discussion is the potential re- from various companies, the state decided to stick with mapping of city zones that set out flat-rate fares. BWI Taxi Management. The contract approved on Wednesday was applauded BWI taxicab contract extended by dozens of cab drivers from BWI Taxi Management despite continuing protests who filled the Governor’s Reception Room. By Justin Snow Opponents of the measure, including attorney John Maryland Reporter April 18, 2012 Singleton, reiterated arguments from previous meetings that BWI Taxi Management does not qualify for the con- tract. At this point in the process, O’Malley advised Sin- gleton that any further complaints about the contract should be taken to a court of law. “We’re not really equipped to serve as a national la- bor relations board,” O’Malley said. “We wouldn’t be at this point if we hadn’t already cleared some of these hur- dles.”

Floating Fuel Surcharge Added To Philadelphia Taxicab Fares By Mike Dunn CBS Philly April 23, 2012

In June 2011, BWI cabs protest at the State House. After more than a year of controversy, the Board of Public Works approved a contract granting a Maryland taxi franchise the continuing exclusive right to operate and manage the cab service at Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport. The board — consisting of Gov. Martin O’Malley, Comptroller Peter Franchot, and State Treasurer Nancy Kopp — voted to extend the contract with BWI Taxi Management, Inc. until June 2017, giving the Linthi- cum-based company sole jurisdiction over the airport’s taxis. The contract will generate more than $12 million for the state over five years based on the implementa- tion of a $2.50 fee for each outbound taxi coming from Taxis at 30th Street Station in West Philadelphia. File photo by Mike DeNardo the airport. Cabbies who drop off passengers at the air- port are not allowed to pick up Page 7 Airport Ground Transportation Association

The Philadelphia Parking Authority, which over- would increase fro m$2.50 to $2.70 per mile. sees taxi operations in the city, today voted to add a Seattle’s 688 licensed taxicabs are required to charge fares fluctuating surcharge to the cost of riding a cab in based upon the taximeter rate set by the city. Philadelphia. Taxi owners, who say they have been suffering Airport Taxi Fee under rising fuel prices, are pleased. Now Added To Fare Meter The Parking Authority board has imposed tempo- Just-increased levy to pay for Lindbergh road rary gas surcharges in the past — most recently last upkeep called illegal tax by some drivers summer. By Jeff McDonald But now, the board has approved what amounts to The San Diego Union-Tribune July 7, 2012 a constant surcharge for taxi rides based on the average cost of gasoline in the region for the previous month. Two years ago, when airport officials imposed a fee “Right now we are at, based on April’s prices, on every taxi leaving Lindbergh Field, cabbies were told $4.04 per gallon for regular gasoline, and a surcharge to point to a window sticker and ask passengers to pay 50 of $1.20 would be warranted,” says Taxi and Limou- cents more than what the meter showed. sine Division director Jim Nye. Many travelers were suspicious of the extra charge So, starting May 1st, a $1.20 surcharge is added to and declined to pay. Or, they paid and withheld a tip. the base fare of $2.70 and the distance charge of 23 Last year, the fee doubled, and many drivers just cov- 1 th cents per /10 mile. ered the fee themselves. [EDITOR'S NOTE: Despite Nye's quote, the fuel surcharge for May was set at $1.25 per trip.] Nye says the surcharge will fluctuate monthly, depend- ing on the average price per gallon of gasoline, and the full schedule of surcharge rates — which mirrors the schedule used by the state Public Utility Commission, which oversees taxis elsewhere it the state — can be found at the Authority’s web site, philapark.org.

Flat-rate taxicab trips to Sea-Tac Airport increased today By Alexa Vaughn The Seattle Times August 29, 2012

Cabdriver Alex Groysman (left) looks on this week as Brian Kelly of Encinitas loads his A flat rate for Seattle taxicab rides from the downtown bag into the cab. A fee to pay for road maintenance at the airport increased this month. hotel district to Sea-Tac Airport has increased from $32 to HOWARD LIPIN • U-T San Diego $40. The new fare took effect today. The fare is based on the average taximeter fare from the This month, the taxi fee jumped to $1.50. For the first middle of downtown to the airport, according to a city of time, the fee is being added to the fare box so drivers can Seattle news release. The law defines the downtown hotel more readily collect. district as the area between Broad Street, Mercer Street and “It saves me an average of $12 to $15 a day, about Interstate 5 on the north, Elliott Bay on the west, South Dear- $100 a week and $400 a month,” said driver James Qar- born Street on the south, and Boren Avenue to I-5 on the gha. “We are really happy about it.” east. Airport officials say the fees are needed to pay for Taxi trips from Sea-Tac are still charged by taximeter, ground transportation maintenance. The trip charge will though, because King County does not have a flat-rate taxi climb to $2 next year. ride law, according to the release. “Moving the fee to the taxi meter was something the The Seattle City Council and Mayor Mike McGinn ap- proved the increase in July. The city first instituted a flat rate airport authority has been working on for more than two tax in 2000 to reassure travelers that they would not be over- years,” said Katie Jones, spokeswoman for the San Diego charged through an indirect route to the airport, according to County Regional Airport Authority. “Taxicab drivers and a city release. passengers alike can be assured that the fees collected Taxi fares will likely increase throughout King County will go directly into managing the ground transportation on Sept. 10 if the King County Council approves a taximeter infrastructure.” rate increase on Sept. 4. If approved, the distance charge

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The Metropolitan Transit System, which regulates taxis in San Diego County, added the fees to fare boxes only after the airport agreed to take on any liability from lawsuits challenging the fees. “We didn’t want to expose ourselves to spending tax- payers’ money defending a lawsuit,” said Sharon Cooney, the MTS chief of staff. Before this year, MTS and the San Diego City Attor- ney’s Office both urged airport officials to stop imposing the fee until the legal issues were clearer. So far, the airport board has rejected two claims filed July 2, 2012-SAN DIEGO, CA| Taxi driver Alex Groysman is happy that as of July 1, riders are paying the $1.50 airport trip fee for each taxi leaving Lindbergh Field. Be- by drivers challenging the fees under Proposition 26, fore, the drivers paid the fee. He was cleaning the windshield of his taxi while waiting for customers at the airport. The fee is imposed by the airport authority to recover which limits local governments’ ability to impose new money to maintain the ground transportation infrastructure. | Howard Lipin /UT San taxes. Diego). Mandatory to Credit HOWARD LIPIN/U-T San Diego/ZUMA PRESS, U-T San Diego Cabdriver Jacob Mojadam filed suit against the air- port May 25. The airport collected about $670,000 in trip fees in Airport officials “knew the fees were being used to 2011. The fees for this year are expected to surpass $1 bolster the SDCRAA balance sheet to support the air- million. port’s marketing of $600,000,000 in municipal bonds,” Travelers this week did not appear to mind paying his claim stated. their share of maintenance costs, even though regula- tors concede that cab fares in San Diego are already among the highest in the nation. “That sounds fine,” said Mike Donohue, a Chicago businessman who was hailing a cab Monday. “I like having great infrastructure at airports, so I don’t mind paying extra. Someone’s got to pay for it.” Katie Clark, a San Diego dietitian who was waiting for a taxi after returning on a red-eye from Hawaii, said Lindbergh Field is still one of the most convenient air- ports she has used.

July 2, 2012-SAN DIEGO, CA| Taxis wait for customers at Lindbergh Field. As of July 1, riders are paying the $1.50 airport trip fee for each taxi leaving Lindbergh Field. Before, drivers paid the fee. The fee is imposed by the airport authority to recover money to main- tain the ground transportation infrastructure. | Howard Lipin /UT San Diego). Mandatory

The airport board approved more than $600 million in bonds to pay for terminal upgrades and other improve- ments. It expects to borrow approximately $515 million more in 2013. Officials say the bonds have nothing to do with the fee for ongoing maintenance. The airport’s lawyer said in a report to the board that July 2, 2012-SAN DIEGO, CA| Taxi driver Fere Nazari is happy that as of July 1, the trip fees are legal because “cost-based user fees are riders are paying the $1.50 airport trip fee for each taxi leaving Lindbergh Field. Be- expressly exempt from the prohibition on illegal taxes fore, drivers paid the fee. The fee is imposed by the airport authority to recover money to maintain the ground transportation infrastructure. | Howard Lipin /UT San Diego). and fees.” A study pegged the cost of wear and tear on airport “I don’t really care” about the fees, she said just facilities by taxis and other users. It said $2 per trip was before hailing a cab, “as long as the security lines don’t warranted but the airport is phasing in the fee gradually. get any longer.” “We can’t impose any fees above the cost of the ser- vice,” Jones said.

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Airport Executive News Editor’s Comments

While much of the country is struggling with poor economic times, it would appear to be the season of opening new airport terminals – all kinds of terminals. As the following three articles indicate, Sea-Tac is opening its $400 million dollar rental car hub; Atlanta just opened its “1.4 billion dollar International Terminal; and Miami’s Metro just opened its $506 million dollar MIA Metrorail station -- all worthy “investments” no doubt, but there are some lingering questions with each of these grand openings. Let’s take Sea-Tac first. Get all those rental car company vans and buses off the curb and into their own facility even if it does cost $400 million – right? Well, maybe! As readers may know, your editor is not overly fond of expensive off-airport car rental facilities that inflate the cost of car rentals and force the airline traveling public to use the facility. Already we see the problem airports are having with hotels that offer car rental specials with or without a guest’s stay at the facility. Plus, how will airport authorities cope with a new app called “Off-airport Car Rental – Cheap”? Just kidding about the app, but we all know that in a free market if there is a substantially cheaper way to avoid the sometimes excessive airport car rental costs available, airline passengers will find it. Good luck Seattle! Atlanta’s brand new International Terminal is indeed spectacular. It's a great facility – just hard to get around and it requires excessively long walks. While it may be pleasing to the eye, it's certainly hard on the feet. With so much of the traveling public today being elderly, one would think a little of the $1.4 billion dollars could have been spent on consultants who might have performed a walking analysis to come up with solutions to obvious problems. Will these issues cause Delta and the Atlanta Airport problems with international passengers who choose not to fly Delta through Atlanta? Maybe! We all have a choice when we fly, and none of us wants to fly United Airlines through Chicago’s O’Hare Airport during the winter. The standard traveler joke is that if you have to use United through Chicago, book your airport hotel room early to avoid the rush because United is sure to strand you there for the evening. Finally, there is the new $506 million dollar MIA Mover train to downtown Miami. No question, it's a great looking transit terminal and a welcomed relief for users familiar with Miami’s traffic problems. At $2.00 per trip it is a great bargain for the traveling public and Miami residents passed a half-cent sales tax to pay for (most) of it. So what could be wrong with it? Well, some of the unintended consequences of the service may mean a substantial drop in MIA parking revenue as airport bound parkers find that they can park for only $4.00 per night. Secondly, MIA, with their open access taxi operation may be faced with demands for an increase in the taxi fare for users not using the MIA Mover. Lower taxi ridership would mean fewer trips for the cabbies and they can become quite vocal about their financial “needs”. Finally, some of these grand airport St. Bernard puppy transit lines look great to local residents, especially when the Federal Government (we, the taxpayers) put up 80% of the construction cost (borrowing 40% from others or the Federal Reserve) . But the St. Bernard puppy grows up to be a very big dog and can eat a lot of dog food – or local tax dollars if you prefer. In some cases, the ultimate cost is far beyond the initial half-cent sales tax burden. The one thing you can count on when facing a local public transit referendum on the ballot box – win or lose, they will be back in a short while with another request for additional funding! In fact, the article goes on to state the next big project is express rail to Miami Beach where most of their tourists go! Did we mention that the City of Miami and the MIA are experiencing severe financial difficulties? Even a grave digger knows to stop digging if his shovel is underwater.

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Sea-Tac airport shows off more parking — and should ease traffic by cutting the $400 million rental-car hub number of shuttles near the terminal. By Emily Heffter A fleet of natural-gas-powered shuttle buses will Seattle Times May 9, 2012 take customers on the five-minute trip from the airport to one main facility when it opens next Thursday. The project was 14 years in the making and endured many setbacks. The Port of Seattle Commission voted to stop construction no fewer than four times since 1998, the year members chose the location, because of funding and other problems. The facility also prompted a new state law in 2005 that allowed the airport to collect a $6 -per-day fee on rental cars. That fee will repay the 30- year bonds on the project, which relies on no local taxes. Locals didn't pay for the facility — and they likely won't use it. "For many of you, this may be the last time you ever come here," Aviation Division Managing Director Mark Reis said to a crowd gathered at a ribbon-cutting Wednesday morning. About 20 percent of the 32 million passengers who pass through Sea-Tac each year rent a car. Now they will be whisked by shuttle to the new facility, where they can rent from a bank of rental counters nearly as long as a football field. Beneath them, more than 5,000 rental cars will be parked on four levels, accessible by a maze of one- and two-floor escalators. The environmentally friendly facility includes 22 carwashes that reclaim most of the water, and 48 vacuums and gas pumps. Besides the building, the $400 million paid for a bus-maintenance facility, 29 shuttle buses, and road and terminal improvements. The project is expected to come in about $20 Tours were given on all levels of the new $400 million rental-car facility for Seattle- million under its $419 million budget. Tacoma International Airport. Starting May 17, shuttle buses will take customers on the Those celebrating the ribbon-cutting, sipping five-minute trip from the airport to hub. Steve Ringman / The Seattle Times cucumber-infused water and watching a bus drive through a big banner, said the facility is a sign of Seattle-Tacoma International Airport's new rental- persistence. car facility opens this month. The five-story, $400 It was funded and built during tough economic million facility is off-site and is expected to free up times and created about 3,900 jobs during its more parking in the airport garage and cut the number construction. of shuttles near the terminal. "You don't do something like this without a whole Seattle-Tacoma International Airport unveiled its lot of people pulling to make it happen," said Port new $400 million hub for rental cars Wednesday, a Commission Chairwoman Gael Tarleton. "When gleaming glass and concrete portal that can handle everything looks bleak, and when you don't think it's 14,000 rental-car transactions a day. going to happen, there's only one real thing that makes The five-story facility covers 23 acres on a hillside it happen, and that's partners." just east of the airport. Moving rental cars off-site gets Twelve rental companies have desks at the new them out of the airport's parking garage — freeing up facility. That leaves one — Rent-a-Wreck — that didn't

Page 11 Airport Ground Transportation Association participate. After next Thursday, the airport won't allow But as with any massive institutional facility made Rent-a-Wreck to drive its shuttles to the airport. even more massive, some negative consequences arise It will have to drop off customers at the new as well. Airport officials say they have made facility, where they can catch a Port shuttle to the operational and physical tweaks to mitigate them. terminal. They have added larger shuttle vans and changed schedules to improve terminal-to-terminal service, for New terminal means long, instance, after long lines and waits when the new winding walks for some terminal opened. They also plan to ask off-airport By Kelly Yamanouchi parking and hotel shuttle operators to serve both the The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Aug. 12, 2012 new terminal and the main domestic terminal, rather than just the latter, so that fliers don’t have to take two shuttles to reach their car or hotel. The long walk affects Atlanta-bound passengers on flights arriving at Concourse E, which is next door to the new terminal. Depending on the gate used, they face winding treks of anywhere from one-quarter to six -tenths of a mile to get to the Customs check in the new terminal. The new terminal has its own group of gates, Concourse F, that are much closer to Customs, but Concourse E still services some international flights. About 1,500 of the 15,000 daily arriving international passengers use E gates and must make the walk, according to the airport. Many arriving travelers welcome the lengthy stroll Photo by Kelly Yamanouchi In response to complaints about the long walk at the new terminal, airport officials from E to the new terminal as a chance to stretch their have added bag carriers, wheelchairs, informational signs and other aids to help legs after a long international flight, Hartsfield-Jackson travelers. deputy general manager Balram Bheodari said. For others, such as people with disabilities or After $1.4 billion spent and more than a decade of health problems, for the very old or very young, for work to build the Atlanta airport’s gleaming new parents lugging car seats and kiddie gear or people international terminal, the thing that struck David toting large carry-ons, it’s an unpleasant surprise. Locker was the more than half-mile long hike he made And there is literally no end in sight. The path after his flight from London. winds through long corridors with multiple turns. “It’s an unconscionably long walk,” said Locker, of “Every time you turned another corner, you Buckhead, who has a bad knee and went to his doctor thought you were there. Well, you weren’t,” said Clint to have his knee drained after the experience. “I didn’t Harkins, of Marietta, who made the walk after a flight have any idea how long the walk was. That’s the from Amsterdam in July. problem.” After getting complaints — including 29 in June, Officials at Hartsfield-Jackson International knew the first full month after the terminal opened — the all along there would be some gripes about using the airport, in cooperation with airlines, added wheelchairs, new terminal — the shuttle ride necessary to connect to electric carts, seats and baggage carts along the way, MARTA or the train to the rental car center, for customer service workers and signs showing distance instance. Another that’s emerged is the amount of remaining. Numerous readers also have complained to walking needed for Atlanta-bound passengers to get The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. from some inbound planes to the Customs area in the “The challenge is we have to meet the expectation new terminal. of those folks with physical limitations,” Bheodari said. The 1.2 million-square-foot terminal makes the “The airport pays very, very close attention to the world’s busiest airport even bigger, significantly feedback and we act on that feedback to reduce that streamlines the entry-exit process for international inconvenience.” passengers and has won praise for jazzing up Hartsfield Those who need assistance can request a -Jackson’s image. wheelchair from their airline in advance or at the airport. Page 12 Airport Ground Transportation Association

“We knew based on customer feedback that if they In Atlanta, Bheodari said passengers can still exit know it’s a 15-minute walk, it’s not an issue,” said the airport quicker through the new terminal than they Hartsfield-Jackson assistant general manager Jim could before, even with the walk from E to Customs. Drinkard. Before it opened, they had to go to the main terminal at The airport is also considering other options, the far end of the airport from international gates. Fliers including eventually adding a moving walkway on part with checked baggage had to re-check it after clearing of the route that doesn’t offer any. On the longest route Customs so it could be sent to the main terminal while between E and Customs, moving walkways are they rode the train. They then had to claim it a second available for about half the distance. time. The airport says the new terminal saves about 45 Ken Herndon of Sandy Springs thinks the problem minutes for most arriving international passengers and lies in the way the new terminal was designed. up to 30 minutes for most of those departing. “It’s just confusing and very frustrating to have to Drinkard said the airport’s configuration prevented walk a very long distance,” he said. any basic design changes that could have significantly He said he doesn’t think the international terminal cut the distance from some E gates to the Customs area was worth the investment. “Eventually, it’s going to be in the new terminal. a waste of money, because of that fact that something’s “Any of the schemes we looked at was going to going to need to be redone.” have a walking distance that is not optimal,” he said. The walk isn’t an issue for outbound passengers In addition, he said, “We don’t have, nor could we who check in at the new terminal then go to an E gate; afford a separate train” for passengers on their way to they can use the train, as can arriving passengers who Customs. Such a train would have cost nearly $150 need to connect to a domestic flight. But arriving million, the airport estimates. international passengers who end trips in Atlanta have When Locker took the long walk a couple of weeks to be kept apart from other passengers before clearing after the terminal opened, the airport was fixing Customs. glitches in the new moving walkways, adding to the Customs also has a facility on E, but it is now used distance he had to walk. only for international passengers making connections in “I’ll never put myself in the position to have that Atlanta. Passengers ending their travels in Atlanta go long walk again,” Locker said. through Customs on Concourse F, then can leave LONG AND WINDING WALKS directly. .6 mile How far is too far to walk is an issue designers of The length passengers must walk to get to Customs big public spaces all face. Ultimately, the answer from their gate after arriving at Atlanta’s new depends on the person and circumstances — including international terminal. how attractive the environment is, experts say. Art 1 mile installations along the trek from E to the new terminal The length passengers must walk to get from aim to make the trek less monotonous. Terminal 1 to Terminal 3 at Chicago’s O’Hare Airport. Atlanta’s is far from the longest walk in an airport. 3 miles According to John Fruin, a retired engineer with the The distance visitors must walk to see the entire Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, collection at New York’s Museum of Modern Art. passengers transferring between airlines at some large airports walk distances greater than a mile. A 1989 Transportation Research Board paper noted then that From train to plane airport walking distances of 4,000 feet and more were The Miami Herald Aug. 20, 2012 “becoming more frequent.” Chicago O’Hare, for example, has a walk of up to Instead of hailing a pricey cab or hitching a ride nearly 1 mile for passengers connecting between from a friend, workers, traveling businessmen and Terminal 1 and Terminal 3 who don’t want to leave the tourists alike finally have a new and practical secure area to take the airport train. alternative to get to Miami International Airport. And long walks aren’t limited to airports. Seeing The Metrorail Orange Line and MIA station the entire collection at New York’s Museum of Modern debuted recently after a 28-year long wait. The new Art requires a 3-mile walk, said Fruin, who added: route connects the airport to the transit network in less “Forget about the Smithsonan.” than five minutes — an overdue service that has been a

Page 13 Airport Ground Transportation Association missing link in Metro Miami’s public transportation station, for just $2.35. circuit. The project cost $506 million, with most of the The next phases of expansion include rails along the funds raised from the half-cent sales tax approved in 27th Avenue corridor and the Dolphin Expressway. For 2002, and took three years to complete. now, MDT is working on a bus rapid-transit program that Unlike the earlier Metrorail stations, the stretched, will give buses their own lane, override traffic signals for terminal-like MIA facility is shielded by a futuristic, buses and make bus platforms more efficient with fares pearly white dome. The platform is lined with stainless paid before entering the bus. steel directories and flat screens that display flight The much-anticipated Orange Line connects Miami’s departures and arrivals. Above the gateway to the MIA economic engine to popular destinations on a smooth, Mover, glass etchings of sea life by renowned Miami elevated rail. With a direct connection and a cheap ticket, native artist Michele Oka Doner give the station a local the rail keeps everyone moving along for the ride. flavor. The world-class station is a fitting gateway to metropolitan Miami. Stansted Airport introduces Since the opening, Miami-Dade Transit has terminal drop-off charges received few complaints. Among those: There is no BBC News Nov. 6, 2012 indoor indication that labels the train as the green line or orange line. The train also makes a stop in the Stansted Airport is to introduce a £2 charge for middle of the platform and then inches up to open the dropping off or collecting passengers at the terminal doors. Pay stations are being reprogrammed to produce doors. multiple passes on one transaction and accept Currently there is no charge with the change due on 9 international credit cards. November. Despite a few kinks, ridership was higher than Drivers dropping off passengers at mid-stay car parks expected for the opening week — about 2,400 can park for up to 30 minutes for free with travellers passengers a day. System wide, the rail transports using a shuttle to and from the terminal. 60,500 passengers on average. The airport said it wants to encourage more people to A nominal $2 pass buys a smooth trip with Wi-Fi use public transport to reduce traffic emissions and access to the airport, edging out taxis crawling in discourage parking in nearby streets. traffic. Long-term, overnight parking is available at It said it is "proud to be the UK's best performing three Metrorail stations for $4 per night, well below major airport for public transport", with over 49% of its airport parking fees. For the airport’s 37,000 passengers arriving by train, coach or bus. employees, Metorail is an affordable option. Free parking With a new route in service, arrival times are Marlene Creak from Great Tey, near Colchester, shorter and double in frequency: Waiting times are Essex, frequently travels from Stansted Airport and said halved from ten to five minutes during the rush hour. she was "miffed" about the new system. Though the number of cars has been reduced from six She said: "At the moment it's so convenient, someone to four, more passengers are on their way to their drops us off and that is it. We may look at going from destination sooner. Seats have also been extracted near Southend." the entryway of the doors to allow for luggage. She added she does not believe it will prevent "fly Now that the Orange Line is complete, MDT looks parking", when passengers park in residential streets near forward to new projects. The priority is obvious: a rail the airport, without enforcement officers handing out to Miami Beach, the destination for most tourists. Plans parking tickets. are in motion for a MetroMover connection to Miami Stansted Airport said it had announced the changes in Beach, with endpoints in South Beach and the mid-October, with information on its website and a poster convention center, and a ballpark estimate of $540 campaign in its forecourt. million to more than $1 billion. Aside from garnering The new charges are £2 for up to 10 minutes for an taxpayer support and funding, MDT faces the challenge "express set down" adjacent to the terminal and £3 for up of building on a fragile ecosystem and a rail extending to 15 minutes. over the bay. There will be a £50 fine for drivers exceeding the 15- For now, tourists can get across the bay on the minute time limit. Miami Beach Airport Flyer, one of the several bus Alternatively, passengers can be dropped off at the routes that services the bus depot below the MIA mid-stay car parks, where their drivers can park for free for up to 30 minutes, or be charged £1 for up to an hour. Page 14 Airport Ground Transportation Association

Airport Parking News Editor’s Comments

Several articles from Australia help to frame the question of just how high airport parking rates can go? Apparently, airport parking rates in the U.S. and Canada have a long way to go before changing the elasticity of airline passenger’s affinity with their cars. As seen here, the airport parking rates at major Australian airports are two to three time that of their North American counterparts. Park your car in the short term parking lot at Sydney Airport and expect to pay slightly over $10/hr. for the privilege. It’s little wonder that Sydney holds the Australian record for highest revenue per airport parking space – a whopping $7,983 per car park space, or roughly $22 per day. Of course this is an average of short- and long-term parking lots. If you keep a short term parking space occupied for a year, the exit booth will charge you $40,880 Australian dollars. So the moral for North American airline passengers parking at the airport is clear – stop complaining about the high cost of parking at the airport – Comparatively speaking, you have nothing to complain about! Compare that with the single article from the US. The article is just a short marketing piece from the Atlanta Airport Marriott extolling the virtues of parking there free for seven nights with only a one night stay at the hotel. In Atlanta you can avoid all the costs of airport parking and enjoy a good night’s rest in an upscale hotel. So… why not let others pay for the airport’s ground transportation facilities while you sleep?

Quit complaining about It is time to stop the hysteria regarding the price of airport parking costs parking cars at airports. No one likes paying to park at By By Brian Crisp airports - or anywhere else - and all of us whinge that it The Australian July 15, 2012 is too expensive. But travellers need to understand that you have to THIS is not going to be a popular column but pay, unless you can find a friend willing to drop you something has to be said. off. Parking at most airports is cheaper than at inner- city shopping centres. The last time I parked at the QVB shopping centre in the heart of Sydney, it cost me $62 for just over four hours. At Sydney irport it costs me $56 to park undercover for just under 24 hours. If I don't mind not being under cover, I can park in the long-term area for three days for $67. I was at Brisbane Airport this past week to pick up my daughter Georgia, who was flying in from Canberra, and found that the airport is in the final stages of a major renovation - the main part of it being a mega carpark to cope with the demand. "(Brisbane Airport Corporation) has invested $180 million in building a new nine-storey, 5000-space carpark at Brisbane domestic," airport spokeswoman When you consider what you're paying for, airport parking isn't unreasonable. Leonie Vandeven says. "The new carpark is complete and fully operational, with skywalk access to and from the

Page 15 Airport Ground Transportation Association terminal and several special features. ''On Wednesday, I saw the guy in the car in front of "There is, however, still some ongoing construction me put his card into the machine and scream into the in the precinct for the reconfiguration of the road network. Works are expected to be completed by October. "In August, as part of the domestic terminal upgrade project, we also look forward to opening a new public pick-up facility at the domestic terminal, which will allow drivers to park and wait for their passengers for up to 20 minutes for free." Let me repeat that. Free parking for 20 minutes. I think that is a pretty good deal and should get people off the side of the busy airport entry road. One thing I don't understand, though, is why the

BAC charges less to park at its international terminal The cost of parking at Sydney Airport has risen. Photo: Andrew Meares than the domestic - $10 less for four hours. That's something the BAC should look at. And by intercom,'' Mr Michaels said. that I mean lower the domestic parking fee, not raise A Sydney Airport spokeswoman said new ''state-of-the- the international fee. art parking equipment'' allowed for online rates that Here's a tip. If you are planning to be at the airport would offer discounts of up to 73 per cent for pre- for more than four hours, park in the long-term area. bookings. You might have to walk a little farther but the rates are considerably cheaper. While on the complaint front, travellers have a new person to hear their concerns about airlines - Airlines Customer Advocate Julia Lines.

Airport car park prices go sky high By Glenda Kwek Car parking prices at Australian airports for the 2010-11 financial year. The Age August 24, 2012 The spokeswoman said only 17 per cent of short- stay parking users left their vehicles for more than three SOME frequent travellers say they are suffering hours, and would still be able to book two calendar-day bill shock after parking fees at Sydney Airport rose by slots on the web for $85. as much as 100 per cent to cost more than a plane "Customers can book anytime up to six hours in ticket. advance of their estimated arrival time and have a The change from hourly charging to calendar- generous grace period either side of that time to enter charging means travellers who park in the short-term the car park. This provides them with flexibility they domestic terminal in the evening and collect their need to manage their flight times," she said. vehicles the following morning have to pay twice as But Mr Michaels said the airport's new pricing much they did last week. structures were inconvenient for frequent travellers like ''On Tuesday night I parked at 8.50pm and him who often travel for only a few hours at short collected my car the next morning at 7.30am, so notice. roughly 11 hours, and I was charged $112 to park my An Australian Competition & Consumer Commission car. Last week the same trip cost $56 - a 100 per cent (ACCC) annual report for 2010-11 found Sydney increase,'' Nick Michaels said. Airport had the most expensive rates for short-term car Mr Michaels, who works in Sydney and travels at parking per hour as at June 30, 2011. least once a week to Melbourne to see his family, said The report also found that for the 2010-11 financial the increase was excessive and would add $3000 to his year, Melbourne's Tullamarine airport earned $114.6 annual parking costs, forcing him to spend less time million from customers, while Sydney Airport recorded with them. the highest revenue at Australian airports - $7983 - per car park space.

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Brisbane Airport's new pick-up zone a 15- from the terminal and the limited "free parking" time minute walk from terminal made the zone less than ideal. By Robyn Ironside "We would hope if there are problems the BAC The Courier-Mail August 25, 2012 will respond and make changes," Mr Jarratt said. "It all seems fairly complex although they are saying it will be well signed. It's also hard to see how vehicles will access the pick-up zone." Ms Vandeven said the 10 to 15-minute walk estimated by BAC to reach the pick-up zone was generous. "The actual walk from the Qantas terminal takes me about seven minutes, so 10 to 15 minutes would be quite a leisurely stroll," she said. Drivers picking up disabled passengers will still be able to use the drop-off road. In 2011, the BAC collected $84.6 million in parking-related revenue. NEW ZONE: People face a 10-15 minute walk. Picture: Nathan Richter. Source: The Courier-Mail Get Moving with the Park Here, Fly There Package BRISBANE Airport will open its new pick-up zone at the Atlanta Airport Marriott next month with a warning to travellers they face a 10 Take advantage of free parking, free shuttle and to 15-minute walk to reach the area, which allows cars overnight accommodations only 20 minutes to park free. PR Newswire May 15, 2012 After 20 minutes, vehicles will be charged for parking at the same rate as the short-term carpark -- $6 Save time and money when you stay at the Atlanta for up to 30 minutes, and $14 for 30 minutes to an Airport Marriott and book the Park Here, Fly There hour. Package. The hotel near Atlanta, Georgia, airport is The new 221-bay zone is about 400m from the offering guests free parking and a complimentary domestic terminal doors, behind the multi-storey short- shuttle ride to and from the Hartsfield-Jackson term carpark and to the left of the long-term carpark. International Airport. People who want to collect passengers without The Park Here, Fly There Package includes: paying for parking will have to use the pick-up zone. Accommodations in our Atlanta area hotel for one The current area is for drop-offs only. night with nightly room rates from $95 Leonie Vandeven from Brisbane Airport Complimentary hotel parking for up to seven days Corporation said people should not get out of their cars Complimentary shuttle service to and from and meet their passengers in the terminal. Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport "The new public pick-up area is designed for Be sure promotional code PKF appears in the passengers to meet drivers in this area," Ms Vandeven Corporate/Promotional code box when making your said. "If they wish to spend time in the terminal online reservation for this Park and Fly in Atlanta meeting, greeting and assisting their passengers, the Package, or call 1-800-834-7282 in the U.S. and ask for best option is to park in the short-term car park." promotional code PKF. Rates available until December If 20 minutes was not enough, they could exit and 30, 2012. re-enter for another 20 minutes of free parking, she Whether you are traveling for business or pleasure, said. you are sure to benefit from the exclusive offers "The new public pick-up area is a vast available with the hotel package. Enjoy any of the four improvement on the current system as there is nowhere on-site restaurants and lounges to help you sit back and at the terminals people can park or stop for longer than relax, or take advantage of a fully equipped fitness two minutes for free," Ms Vandeven said. center to keep you in your fitness routine. Plus, with Ian Jarratt, from the Queensland Consumers luxurious, technologically advanced guest rooms, you'll Association, said the distance be all set to take off in no time... Page 17 Airport Ground Transportation Association

early flight, a place to call home during a layover or a Take Advantage of Park Here, hotel to act as home base while they explore the sights Fly There Rates at Hotel and sounds of New York City. With complimentary shuttle service, this Queens hotel offers you the Near LaGuardia Airport convenience of its airport location without sacrificing a New York LaGuardia Airport Marriott Package good night's rest. Accommodations feature Marriott's Offers Parking for up to 8 Nights signature Revive bedding package with down By East Elmhurst comforters and 300-thread-count linens, high-speed Marketwire Nov. 12, 2012 Internet access and a plug-in panel to connect your devices to a 32-inch flat-screen TV. Whether New York City is your hometown or you're using it as a jumping off point to a land far, far This Energy Star-certified property offers a fitness away, the New York LaGuardia Airport Marriott is center and onsite dining, perfect after a late flight or announcing a new hotel deal near LGA that will make before an early takeoff. Enjoy creative continental for a hassle-free, money-saving airport experience. cuisine in a comfortable setting at Steinway Restaurant, With its Park Here, Fly There LaGuardia Airport, a nightcap and light bite at Empire Lounge or a NY hotel deal, this Queens hotel is giving guests the delicious meal in the comfort of your own room with opportunity to avoid airport parking charges by room service. This LaGuardia Airport hotel is not far offering parking for up to eight nights. With this special from JFK International Airport by car, and with more offer, available through December 31, 2012, you'll than 15,000 sq. ft. of event space, it's the ideal location enjoy one night's overnight accommodations, the for business conferences, weddings and meetings. You hotel's complimentary airport shuttle service and can also catch MLB's New York Mets at nearby parking for up to three or up to eight nights included, CitiField and tennis' biggest stars at the US Open in from $209 to $439 a night (rates vary from weekdays to nearby Arthur Ashe Stadium. weekends). With a convenient location just across the street from the airport, this business hotel is also a smart choice for layovers, events -- including the US Open -- conferences and for tourists who want to explore nearby New York City. Amenities at this hotel near LGA Airport include a fitness center, more than 15,000 square feet of event space and two distinct dining venues: Steinway Restaurant and Empire Lounge. The hotel's guestrooms ensure a comfortable, relaxing stay, with double-paned windows for soundproofing, a luxurious bedding package with 300- thread-count linens and down comforters, high-speed Internet and 32-inch flat-screen TVs. To book the Park Here, Fly There package at this hotel near LaGuardia Airport, visit www.marriott.com/ hotels/hotel-deals/lgaap-new-york-laguardia-airport- marriott/ or call 1-800-228-9290 in the US; be sure to enter/ask for promotional code PKF. On the hotel website you can also search other packages and deals, get more information about transportation and plan your visit with a detailed guide to the area's attractions, restaurants and more. About the New York LaGuardia Airport Marriott Located in East Elmhurst, right across from the airport,

New York LaGuardia Airport Marriott is a convenient Cartoon developed by Jim Bass, he is Landside Operations Manager at the Bill and choice for those needing a comfortable bed before an Hillary Clinton, National Airport, Little Rock, Ark.

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Airport Buses News Editor’s Comments

Hats off to GO Express Travel, an arm of Bloomington Shuttle, for working out a deal with the Indianapolis Airport Authority to continue its express service to downtown Indianapolis. The service, which had been a public/ private partnership, providing the city with a low cost (but subsidized) express airport service, was to be eliminated due to cutbacks in public transit funds. As this article indicates, the private operators of this route service hope to expand this line service into more of a door-to-door airport shuttle service for greater customer service. We wish GO Express the best of luck as they expand their service offerings. While IndyGo, the public transit system of Indianapolis was dropping their partnership with a private operator, another private/public airport bus service was being funded in close-by Michigan, with express bus service from Ann Arbor to Detroit Metro Airport. The private partner in this new airport service is Michigan Flyer, a subsidiary of Indian Trails – a longtime AGTA member and bus company with a long successful history in the industry. This new service, dubbed AirRide, will enable Michigan Flyer to operate 12 roundtrip daily operations between Detroit's Metro Airport and Ann Arbor where riders can make connections with the city’s public transit system -- an example of a truly integrated low cost airport passenger system. AirRide is not the only integrated airport service provided by Michigan Flyer. The bus company also provides East Lansing, Michigan departures, but these have remained at eight per day because passenger volume was insufficient to support 12 on fare box revenue alone. That’s where a grant from MDOT’s Transportation Community System Preservation (TCSP) program comes in. It will cover 80% of the first-year operating costs to establish four new round trips between East Lansing, Ann Arbor, and DTW. Michigan Flyer will contribute $148,920 or 20 percent of first-year operating cost, plus invest $550,000 to purchase one new motorcoach to add to its existing fleet of five. Note: This integrated airport service is of special interest to this editor since he performed a ground transportation study for the State of Michigan some 35 years ago advocating just such integration. At that time transportation funds were available for public transit and airports and little effort was given to a state-wide integrated bus service for Detroit Metro Airport. It’s great to see one’s ideas finally reach fruition – even if it does take thirty-five years. Another “hats off” to Indian Trails President, Gordon Mackay, and the Michigan Department of Transportation for taking the steps necessary to create an integrated airport bus service with the frequency necessary to attract and sustain ridership. We wish them all the success possible. Other communities, such as McCarran International Airport and their Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada are also getting into the airport express bus operation, with specifically designed airport traveler needs in mind as the article regarding their Westcliff Airport Express suggests. This airport express bus route has been gaining popularity, and at a subsidized $2.00 per trip it is a lot cheaper than parking at the comparatively low cost parking lots of McCarran. However, not all airport express bus operations are faring as well as Westcliff. As the final article shows, Calgary City Council members are concerned about the cost of their airport express bus system. The quarterly cost of nearly $400,000 CD is nearly double the fare box revenue of the service. Perhaps the City of Calgary should consider a public/private partnership with a private bus company. In this way, the service could be tailored to the airport travelers needs while typically operating at half the cost of traditional public transit.

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Express bus service between IndyGo ran the shuttles from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. -- is an Downtown, airport to continue attempt to reach the travelers who arrive at the airport By Julie Sickel after 8 p.m., which he estimated was maybe a third of Indystar.com Sep 17, 2012 IND travelers. In addition, the fare for the airport express has been bumped to $10 per passenger from IndyGo's $7. Down the road, Peterson said Go Express plans to make the airport route more of a door-to-door, convenient service for passengers. A criticism of IndyGo's Green Line in the past was a lack of overall ridership. Peterson said Go Express is working with the airport and Visit Indiana to promote the service more and will begin to station employees at the previously unmanned airport express kiosk at Indianapolis International. Peterson said the Go Express buses will follow the same routes as the Green Line for now in order to keep it a smooth transition for drivers and passengers. Passengers traveling from the airport can find the IndyGo Green Line bus driver Dennis Harrell (left) welcomes passenger Steve Herbert, Denver, as he and his wife caught the bus from Downtown to the Indianapolis Interna- buses at Zone 1 of IND's Ground Transportation tional Airport on Dec. 15, 2009. The Indianapolis Airport Authority announced Sept. Center. From downtown, passengers can board at the 17, 2012, it would pair with Go Express Travel to continue to fund the route following IndyGo's termination of the Green Line on Sept. 16, 2012. / Matt Detrich / The Star Indiana Convention Center and similar stops on the old Green Line route. An express, non-stop bus service from Indianapolis Those interested in more information and a full list International Airport to downtown will live on in spite of stops can contact Go Express Travel at 317-274- of IndyGo’s discontinuation of its Green Line. 0060. The Indianapolis Airport Authority announced today it would pair with Go Express Travel to continue AirRide shuttle service from to fund the route following IndyGo's termination of the Ann Arbor to Detroit Metro Airport Green Line Sunday. Go Express Travel, an arm of Bloomington Shuttle, to start Monday By Ryan J. Stanton was already the provider of the airport express for AnnArbor.com Mar 29, 2012 IndyGo, but worked with the company through a $3 U.S. Rep. John Dingell and the director of the million federal grant since 2010. Michigan Department of Transportation will be in Ann Tim Peterson, operations manager for the Arbor on Friday to celebrate the launch of a new airport Bloomington Shuttle and Go Express Travel shuttle service. Indianapolis terminal, said when IndyGo announced in The Ann Arbor Transportation Authority is late August it would end the Green Line and its launching the AirRide service, which will provide 12 relationship with Go Express, the company had to daily roundtrips from Ann Arbor to the Detroit Metro decide whether it would continue the route Airport. independently. The service, officially starting on Monday, will be The airport express would continue, the company operated though a public-private partnership with decided, and so Go Express reached out to the Michigan Flyer, a subsidiary of Indian Trails. Indianapolis Airport Authority, who agreed to assist in A new website for AirRide is now public and keeping the express alive. includes schedules. Though it's the same provider, Peterson said there AirRide also will connect passengers to will be some immediate changes in the airport express destinations in Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties following the split from IndyGo. by connecting to the SMART bus system. The buses will only run twice per hour on the half AATA officials said they've heard Ann Arbor-area hour between 8 a.m. and 11 p.m. residents asking for a public transportation route to Peterson said the shift to a later route schedule — Detroit Metro Airport for several years. They said

Page 20 Airport Ground Transportation Association

AirRide will offer low-cost fares and parking, reliable Westcliff Airport Express gains service and convenient pick-up and drop-off options for passengers traveling between Ann Arbor and the popularity among new bus riders By Jan Hogan airport. Las Vegas Review-Journal Aug. 7, 2012 Several state and local leaders are expected to be on hand for the AirRide announcement at 11 a.m. Friday at Kensington Court Hotel, 610 Hilton Blvd. That includes Dingell, MDOT Director Kirk Steudle, AATA CEO Michael Ford, AATA Chairman Jesse Bernstein, AATA Board Member David Nacht, Mayor John Hieftje and Gordon Mackay, president of Indian Trails. Tickets are expected to be offered at an introductory rate of $10 for a one-way trip. The regular adult fare would be $12 with a reservation or $15 without a reservation. The standard price for roundtrips would be $22. Discounts would be offered for seniors, the disabled and children. Volume discounts also may be available for groups of up to eight people traveling together. Jan Hogan/View Bill Oglesvy, left, waits to board the Regional Transportation Com- mission of Southern Nevada's Westcliff Airport Express shuttle to McCarran Interna- A proposed partnership with the Ann Arbor tional Airport at the Westcliff Transit Center, 25 S. Durango Drive. The shuttle origi- Downtown Development Authority would allow for nates at the Suncoast, 9090 Alta Drive, and travels to downtown and the airport. parking at the Fourth and William parking structure for With the opening of Terminal 3 at McCarran just $2 per trip. International Airport, the Regional Transportation Plans call for AirRide buses to pick up passengers Commission of Southern Nevada has said it plans to at the corner of Fourth Avenue and William Street keep an eye on how many people utilize the airport bus across from the Blake Transit Center downtown and at from the Westcliff Transit Center, 25 S. Durango a stop near the Briarwood Mall near Interstate 94 on Drive. Residents who use the bus said the Westcliff Ann Arbor's south side. Airport Express is a stress-free and economical way to At Detroit Metro get to and from the airport. Airport, the AirRide buses Bill Oglesvy lives about a mile from the transit would drop off and pick up center. He travels to Pittsburgh almost every two passengers at the months to visit family. He began taking the bus to the international arrival level of airport nearly a year ago. the McNamara Terminal, Where he used to pay $60 per trip to park at the and at the ground airport, he now pays $2 each way to ride the bus. transportation center at the Another plus he cited is that the buses are reliably North Terminal. punctual. New low-emissions "It's the greatest," he said. "But I leave an hour Michigan Flyer buses before I should ... I'm afraid (a traffic jam will) make offering free wireless me miss my flight." Internet and restroom Oglesvy did say he was concerned about his car amenities are expected to be being parked in the intense sun that long and that the used for all trips. heat could wreck his dashboard. A look at the AirRide Melissa Kuhn was visiting from Denver. Her schedule now posted online: grandmother lives in Sun City Summerlin. "We're having coffee with some friends of hers, and they said, 'Have you guys thought about taking the bus'? Because my sister and I were here a few months ago, and our flight was right at rush hour," she said.

Page 21 Airport Ground Transportation Association

"And my grandmother was like, 'I don't really want to which the transportation commission said drive in rush hour.' So we looked into shuttle options accommodates current demand on the route. On … This way she only has to drive 10 minutes to come average, it takes 40 to 50 minutes to take the Westcliff get us. It's nice and easy." Airport Express from the Westcliff Transit Center to She said her grandmother is planning a trip of her McCarran International Airport. own and wants to use the shuttle to get to McCarran. To get to downtown usually takes 15 to 20 minutes, There are 140 parking spaces at the transit center, depending on traffic. and parking is free. If someone is on a trip for longer Bizzell said he is in constant radio contact with than a week, they need only alert security that they will headquarters, which keeps an eye out for traffic jams. be gone that long. "We have a heads up, so we can jump off the The airport shuttle originates at the Suncoast, 9090 freeway and take surface streets to where we're going," Alta Drive, which has covered parking. he said. "There's (heavy) traffic daily, but we have an The route was intentionally designed with two advantage." objectives, said Amy Maier, spokeswoman for the After downtown, the bus gets on Interstate 15 at transportation commission - one, for people to get Charleston Boulevard and heads south, then exits the downtown, where they could then catch another bus; freeway at Tropicana Avenue. After a brief stop at and two, getting to the airport. The bus used for the Tropicana Avenue and Las Vegas Boulevard, it travels McCarran shuttle seats 32 to 34 passengers, depending to Terminal 1, where it drops off passengers and picks on the configuration. up new ones on the zero level. The dark blue fabric seats are mostly facing Once at the airport, the Westcliff Airport Express forward, but some face the center aisle with enough bus was unloaded and loaded in less than five minutes. room for pull-along baggage. This day, no one had Since they bring the luggage on the vehicles, there more than carry-on baggage. Windows are tinted is no delay to put luggage under the bus, as with a road heavily, so although the sun was shining, the air motor coach, Maier said. conditioning was sufficient. Except for a heavy fan at "There are limitations on how long vehicles can sit the back of the bus, the only other sounds were random at McCarran, and as we also have two other routes that conversations. serve the airport, we have to keep the buses moving Maier said the Suncoast and the Westcliff Transit through there fairly quickly to prevent a backup," she Center have 130 combined boardings per day heading said. toward downtown and the airport. The transportation Alex Canales got on the bus at McCarran. He lives commission does not keep counts on how many go just near Summerlin. He said he has been using the transit to downtown and how many continue to McCarran. bus for about a year and a half. The Westcliff Airport Express started in December Besides using it to get to the airport, he rides the 2010, and its routes see approximately 800 boardings bus three or four days to his job on the Strip, where he per weekday, up 66 percent compared to the first month is an executive in resort management. He said he uses of operation. the time to get work done on his iPad. Overall, ridership on the entire transportation Ecology-minded people may applaud him for not commission transit system is up 8.5 percent from this contributing to pollution (the buses run on compressed time last year, carrying approximately 182,000 people natural gas), but he has an ulterior motive. per weekday. "For me, it's not so much the (fuel) saving, it's Ron Bizzell has been a transportation commission because it's more productive," Canales said. "I do all bus driver for about 11 years. Four days a week, he my emails when I'm in transit." drives the Westcliff airport shuttle loop, which has He said he flies out of town about every three been his route since the transit center opened. weeks for four- or five-day trips. Other times, he can be He said he sees at least 15 riders with luggage on gone for three weeks at a time. His wife drops him off each of his eight daily trips. at the Westcliff Transit Center and picks him up when Bizzell estimated he's seen an increase of 10 he returns to town. percent in ridership to and from McCarran since the Canales had nothing but praise for the drivers and new terminal opened. the efficiency of getting to and from the Summerlin The route runs as often as every 20 minutes during area. He did, however, suggest that the transportation peak travel times and hourly during off-peak hours, commission erect a shade cover to protect parked cars

Page 22 Airport Ground Transportation Association from the sun. When the city first ran the pilot project in 2011, it Another idea? Offer passes with longer expiration cost just over $800,000 and brought in about $330,000 dates. — the city coughed up $470,000 to cover the rest, "I was born in Chile," he said. "There, our according to a new report. transportation system is very sophisticated. The more During the first quarter of 2012, the city spent you use it, the (more economical) it is. In other words, $395,000 on the route and brought in $170,000. During if you want to use the service four days a week, the the second quarter it cost $395,000 to maintain the rate's cheaper than if you (buy for one day)." route, more than double the $190,000 it brought in. Maier said the transportation commission evaluates Lowe said he has always questioned how the fares all of its routes and schedules on an ongoing basis and structure was concocted. makes adjustments when necessary. Currently the “The fare structure for it, I’ve always thought was a Westcliff Airport Express service is operating little bit odd. efficiently and effectively, its research shows, with “It cost $8 to go to the airport but only $2.25 to go room to accommodate additional passengers out.” comfortably. It took one year to get more than a thousand daily In the event that passenger counts increase, the passengers riding the airport express bus, said the transportation commission will evaluate and may make report. adjustments as needed. When the pilot was launched in July 2011, bureaucrats estimated 1,100 daily riders. Airport express route Bureaucrats say the figure will improve with the airport expansion, a routing change to 96 Ave. N.E., fare game for review more commercial development in the area and By Renato Gandia Calgary Sun September 14, 2012 additional marketing of Route 300.

Kansas City considers outsourcing airport buses SFGate August 17, 2012

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Kansas City officials are considering outsourcing bus operations at the city's airport to a private company. Aviation director Mark VanLoh said Thursday he wants to outsource the airport's bus business to Standard Parking. He noted that bus drivers at Kansas City International Airport have been involved in 50 accidents in the last 2½ years, causing 25 lawsuits that

Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi speaks and answers from media after he and Calgary cost the city $200,000. Transit announced the launch of the first ever direct transit route from downtown to If approved, the change would eliminate jobs for 58 the airport. Route 300 will provide direct service to the Calgary International Airport every 30 minutes, between 5 a.m.-12 midnight, seven days a week drivers, eight management employees and 18 currently vacant positions. The airport express bus route should undergo a Seven bus drivers and a union representative asked thorough review because it’s not making enough the city's transportation committee on Thursday to money, says an alderman. reject the idea and preserve their jobs. Gord Lowe, who before the launch of the route The Kansas City Star reports (http://bit.ly/RmZESA ) questioned its fare schedule, said if it costs more to run VanLoh estimated the airport can save $7 million over it, perhaps council should take a second look. five years by outsourcing the bus operation to Lowe said the target for Calgary Transit overall is Standard Parking. 50% subsidy, but that mark isn’t being consistently reached by the airport express bus route. “It’s not meeting that objective,” he said.

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Airport New Services News Editor’s Comments

Two articles appear pertain to the use of internet technology in airport ground transportation. The first, an American startup company, called Airport Parking Worldwide, is a web site that lets you search out the lowest cost airport parking alternative and services on a single web page for easy comparison. Without driving around to compare lots, the airport passenger can plan his parking ahead, thereby securing the best and probably the cheapest airport parking. As the article indicates, the webpage is already generating pricing competition among airport parking lot operators. The second article is one from Dublin, Ireland, where a startup company is proposing to help travelers in Europe and then the world to find the connection between and an airport and a city center. The name of the app is “CityHook” and it is a free app which covers 130 European airports and their nearest city center. This is not the only transportation app that is attempting to put all the traveler's choices at his fingertips and we wish them success, but the issues of keeping the data current – especially fare data and all the private sector alternatives has always been a daunting challenge. Obviously some company or group will emerge as the leader in this information field and quite possible find a way to financially support this effort through user or supplier fees, but expect a number of failures along the way also.

Airport Parking Worldwide Business Development states: “Because everything is Is West-bound on one page, customers can easily see where to get the PRWEB September 18, 2012 best service for the best price. Lot owners are able to see their competition’s rates in black and white. Airport Parking Worldwide looking to expand Customers and lot owners are able to benefit from this westward with the help of Route 72 Systems. because customers can acquire a spot for a competitive Following their successful launch Route 72’s sister price while the lot owners can draw in new customers company, Airport Parking Worldwide (http:// and build much repeat business.” airportparkingworldwide.com), is now looking to Customers will also be able to utilize Airport expand their reach to the west coast. With various east Parking Worldwide’s weather tool, which displays coast airport parking lots already in their database weather conditions in real time near any given airport including lots near Newark Airport and JFK (https:// on the west coast. Along with the weather tool, west- airportparkingworldwide.com/JFK-airport- coasters will also be able to use the Google Map tool to parking.php), Airport Parking Worldwide is hoping to view the proximity of the parking lot to the airport and draw in parking lot owners near airports on the West also view the lot via satellite image. To reserve a low- Coast of the U.S. including LAX, San Francisco, and priced spot, customers on the west coast will be able to Seattle to name a few. Customers on the east coast have grab a spot through Airport Parking Worldwide’s new been able to take advantage of Airport Parking easy 3-step online process or even call the customer Worldwide’s database of long-term parking lots to find service line to speak to an agent. Chris Albanese states: some of lowest prices for airport parking on the market “We wanted to make all of our innovative tools and hope to pass this same convenience and service to available to our new West Coast customer base because their users to the west. it has proven convenient and useful for our lot owners Because the user is able to compare prices and and customers here in the east. We look forward to this service from a single web page, Airport Parking saves expansion and the continued growth of Airport Parking their users much time in their process of comparative Worldwide.” research. Lot owners have boasted some of their lowest Having been in the email marketing database rates yet because of this system. Chris Albanese, VP of business for more than 15 years, Route 72 Systems has the experience and marketing systems to effectively

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Right now, it’s usually hard to find a complete, penetrate any industry. Route 72 continues to independent source of information for all modes of revolutionize the business lead generation space and transport. consistently develops new products and services to CityHook shows independent information about all assist online marketers. travel options in a user interface and design that tries to make it easy to intuit which option to pick by looking CityHook helps travelers find for visual cues, rather than reading text. the best airport transfers Why should people or companies use your startup? By Sean O'Neill We strive to be complete and independent. Tnooz September 12, 2012 Sometimes the best transfer options are not covered by the commercial ground transfer websites. CityHook is a Dublin startup aiming to help For example, Milan Linate is a quick city bus travelers in Europe (and eventually worldwide) journey from Milan, costing less than €2, but it’s not determine the best connection between an airport and a easy to find information about this, and is relatively city center. hard to find on arrival. This morning the company officially announced its Taxis are also one of the most popular forms of free apps, covering 130 European airports and their transport for many european airports and the basic nearest city centers. information about them is often unclear. Users can sort results by criteria such as preferred Other than going viral and receiving mountains of journey times (from “gate to door”), journey cost, and positive PR, what is the strategy for raising awareness drop-off locations. and getting customers/users? The apps and website aim to list all transport One of the most important channels for any startup options, such as city buses and paid limousines, at in the early days is PR and some viral spread. We have major travel destinations worldwide. identified search engine traffic as a key driver for the Last week, the Apple app debuted, while business and we’re actively working on this right now. the Android app and the website debuted earlier this We’re also evaluating strategic partnership options summer. and our current technology and database setup means Behind the project is Kevin O’Shaughnessy that we have quite a lot of flexibility in this regard. (Dublin) and Tommaso Solesin (Milan), who met while What other options have you considered for the working on their master’s degrees at UCD. business and the team if the original vision fails? We have a number of options open: the technology and database are quite flexible and we’ve a number of ways of marketing the data including licensing. What mistakes have you made in the past in business and how have you learned from them? What both co-founders have brought to CityHook is focus. Simply speaking, it means that some great features and other priorities have had to wait to prioritize what we’ve built so far. Today, we’re focusing on building our team, improving our database and growing our audience. What is wrong with the travel, tourism and Q&A with co-founder Kevin O’Shaughnessy: hospitality industry that requires another startup to help How is the way you are solving this problem more it out? special or effective than previous attempts you or the We believe we can build CityHook as a great new market has seen before and how different do you have channel for ground transfers. We had a chance to to be to succeed? confirm some of this at ITB Berlin in March this year. From the passenger perspective, finding the best Both independent travellers and transit operators connection is about understanding three simple things alike are interested in the product. for all of the available options – the journey time, the To this end, we create free listings for verified cost and then the drop-off location. transit operators providing they keep their data up to

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other showcase venues. date. We also link directly to their booking systems on Apps like SpotWorld have put more effort into same-terms as their other affiliates. putting in design touches that Apple curators favor to We have yet to find someone doing quite the same get spotlit in the App store. thing. The information is out there, but its either hard to Trying to get consumer attention among the tens of find or sometimes hard to interpret. Over on Google, thousands of travel apps is obviously difficult. competition for search traffic from ground transfers But mobile is clearly a huge opportunity for airport queries is fierce. transfers, and anecdotal evidence shows that consumers Tnooz view: could widely adopt a product like this. Both of the founders work part-time to bootstrap The product does seem to have promise. All CityHook. They’ve built software and design in-house, depends on the execution. and even researched travel time data on their own. The company has applied for the Seedcorn Competition, Europe’s largest business competition for early-stage/high growth companies with a prize fund of €280,000. The focus on airport transfers only heading to the nearest “city center/downtown” location is a limitation right now, at least for leisure travelers in may situations As a reviewer of the app for the Daily Mail pointed out, “From Malaga Airport you’re shown transfers just to Malaga, and not to resorts along the Costa del Sol, where many people flying in to Malaga head on to.” The founders plan to keep their website free for personal users and free for transport operators to publish and update their listings, separating this part of the product from the commercial, mobile app side. Today when users click through to their booking systems, CityHOok charge a small fee using basic affiliate schemes. As traffic grows, the company plans a number of value-added services in the pipeline. As such, it sees commercialization in two distinct steps: revenue and audience growth, followed by new product introductions. The apps themselves are free. Looking at products like GateGuru and SeatGuru that have grown heavily with user-generated content, it seems likely that much depends on user-generated contributions for this product to grow. Right now, the user-generated component isn’t adequately emphasized. Ideally, the product could partner with an OTA or a GDS to have a link to download the app generated free and sent along with itinerary information. Partnering with taxi apps like MyTaxiand Uber may help, too. The inadequate marketing plan raises another red flag. The app doesn’t seem to have been sufficiently designed in a way to win Apple App of the Week and

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Airport Shuttle Vans News Editor’s Comments

Really not much going on in shuttle news this period, so I though readers might enjoy the following article from the South Wales Evening Post. It would appear that the attitude of “entitlement” is not just an issue for the U.S. Disability Living Allowance in South Wales is akin to our Workmen’s Compensation disability claim process. (No doubt the DC police will be getting around to changing the name of these programs to Workpersons’ Compensation, but that is another issue). While the individual was able to perform somewhat strenuous work, please see where the airport decided to put him after he suffered “a series of heart attacks, two mini-strokes, and five heart stints”. That’s correct – he now drives an airport shuttle van!!!

Airport worker admits physical and accepted he was able to work around the disability allowance breach airport," said Mr Allchurch. South Wales Evening Post May 21, 2012 The court was told he had suffered a series of heart attacks, two mini-strokes and had five stents in his A MAN who worked at Cardiff Airport while heart. He has since started a new job as an airport claiming Disability Living Allowance has appeared in shuttle driver. The case was adjourned for a pre- court. sentence report to be prepared. He was given Alan Bosworth, 62, of Tanygroes Street, Port unconditional bail to reappear tomorrow. Talbot, admitted one charge of failing to declare to the Department of Work and Pensions that his care needs SuperShuttle Celebrates had decreased which would affect his entitlement to 75th Propane Shuttle benefits. Domestic Fuel - Top Stories Nov. 09, 2012 John Allchurch, for the prosecution, said Bosworth had been overpaid £15,585.25 between 2007 to 2011. SuperShuttle celebrated the addition of its 75th He admitted one charge of failing to declare a propane autogas shuttle in Phoenix, Arizona during the change of circumstances. “Shuttling Arizona to a Cleaner Future” event. In Mr Allchurch said he had been claiming the attendance were area council members, Michael allowance in January 1997 because he was unable to Johnson and Jim Waring; Valley of the Sun Clean walk and needed assistance to cook his main meal. Cities envoys; and industry representatives from the "He failed to report his needs had decreased," said National Propane Gas Association and Phoenix Sky Mr Allchurch. Harbor International Airport. [...] From May 2008 he had worked for two different The company has been using propane autogas businesses at the airport, helping to transport shuttles with ROUSH CleanTech autogas engine fuel passengers with mobility issues from the car park, to systems since 2009 and demonstrated during the event their flight. that propane is a clean, cost-effective alternative fuel. His role included pushing wheelchairs, carrying The event also featured a refueling demonstration and luggage and helping passengers up and down stairs. ride and drive. Swansea Magistrates' Court was also told he had “SuperShuttle is the largest national shared-ride worked as a security guard, scanning passengers and organization in the U.S. Sharing rides is considered luggage between April 2007 and 2008. environmentally friendly, because combining rides He was first interviewed in July 2011 and said the reduces our carbon footprint and reduces the majority of his work was not physical. More witness congestion on our roadways,” said Dave Bird, statements were taken before a second interview in executive vice president of operations for SuperShuttle September 2011 where he still failed to accept his International. “It makes sense to step up our game with health and mobility had improved. alternative fuels like propane, particularly in markets "He claimed statements were inaccurate and he still where air pollution is a major concern, such as had mobility issues. He eventually admitted the job was Phoenix.” ...

Page 27 Airport Ground Transportation Association

University of Missouri St. Louis

Operators and Airports WORKING TOGETHER for Better Customer Service.

Ray Mundy AIRPORT GROUND TRANSPORTATION ASSOCIATION Executive Director & Editor UM-SL Center for Transportation Studies [email protected] One University Boulevard 314-225-7039 154 University Center St. Louis, Missouri 63121 Sandy Mundy Administrative Director [email protected] 314-753-3432

Melis Yilmaz Newsletter Developer David Long Web Developer

AGTA is a non-for-profit trade association registered in the state of Tennessee. The opinions offered in this newsletter are those of the Editor and do not necessarily represent the opinions of the Board of Directors or the Association.

About Your AGTA...

AGTA is an association of ground transportation operators, airport authorities, and industry suppliers dedicated to the continuous improvement of airport ground transportation services for the airline traveling public.

AGTA is dedicated to the following:

• The advancement of airport ground transportation that is conducted cooperatively with Airport Authorities. • Improving the overall professional image of the airport ground transportation industry. • Working with ground transportation providers and airport authorities to reach equitable solutions to the problems facing these groups. • Providing ground transportation operators with the latest technical resources necessary to provide safe and efficient ground transportation. • Providing airports with the latest information and technology utilized by airports throughout the world with regard to ground transportation issues. • Providing dialog between airport authorities of all sizes and complexities with regard to ground transportation issues. • Providing ground transportation operators information on the latest equipment, materials, and services. • Keeping its membership informed on legislation and issues of the day and taking an advocacy position on those issues affecting the membership.

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