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Tapping into airport luxury

Limo drivers say it's unfair, but they may soon have to pay airport fees like cabs and vans.

By Steve Huettel, Times Staff Writer
Published June 7, 2007

Taxis and van services pay six-figure fees to pick up customers at Tampa International Airport.

Now airport officials have their sights on stretch limousines and luxury sedans that do essentially the same thing but don't fork over a dime.

Executive director Louis Miller today will ask the Hillsborough County Authority board to develop fees and regulations for companies offering the high-end rides at Tampa International.

Commercial limos and luxury sedans made 180 airport trips on a sample day in April. That was one-third the number of rides provided by two taxi companies that together pay the airport $400, 000 a year.

"It's getting to be so many, we figure regulation is fair and equitable since they use our facility and are not paying any fee," said Miller.'

He'll likely face a fight from operators such as Moshe Leib of TB Limo Black Car Service in Redington Beach. Leib says his company - which charges an all-inclusive $58.50 from Clearwater to the airport - would lose a price war if Tampa International adds a new fee.

"Now, I'm very tight in competition with taxis," said Leib. "If I have to go $1 higher, business will go to the taxi."

Airports in several large states have adopted fees. Tampa International is the only major Florida airport that doesn't charge a fee or require limos to use paid parking.

Taxi and van operators receive rights to parking areas and dispatch stands for their fees, says Jeff Greene, president of the National Limousine Association. Airports can't legally charge limos for picking up customers with reservations at the same curb the public uses, he said.

"Airports are looking for more ways to get money," said Greene. "They all think limo companies have deep pockets."

Miller hopes to meet with operators over the next two months and return to the board with proposed regulations and fees in September. The rules would go into effect in January, he said.

Taxi drivers at Tampa International say the fees would help even their odds against a growing number of limos.

It's bad enough limos aren't paying, drivers said, but they're allowed to pick up customers at the curb outside baggage claim. In December, the airport moved taxis to lots at the end of the terminal building.

Customers have trouble finding the poorly marked taxi stands, and elderly travelers struggle to drag luggage that far, drivers say.

"Now they've got to come out like (someone in) Leonard Nimoy's In Search Of," said Michael Bonsante, a United Cab driver from Largo.

The change was necessary to keep the roadway outside baggage claim from getting clogged with parked vehicles, said Miller. Only a few passengers have reported a problem finding cabs in the new location, he said.

Steve Huettel can be reached at huettel@sptimes.com or (813) 226-3384.

[Last modified June 6, 2007, 23:00:18]