OHIO Cleveland airport tries to solve taxi problems

Cabbies are angry about being shut out in favor of airport shuttles.
CLEVELAND (AP) -- The commissioner of Cleveland Hopkins International Airport says plans to post new signs for its taxi stand this week are a first step in resolving complaints by cabbies and customers.
Passengers have said that the taxi stand at the north end of the terminal is hard to find and that getting there often involves a long walk.
And some say that after they get there, cabdrivers are rude to customers who want a short ride, which means a lower fare.
Drivers have their own complaints.
Airport Commissioner Fred Szabo is meeting with drivers after a protest last month at city hall. Thirty-seven drivers double-parked their cabs in front of the building until Szabo agreed to hear their grievances.
Airport shuttles
Drivers told Szabo that they fear airport shuttle companies are stealing business by illegally soliciting customers inside the terminal. They also said shuttles' waiting spots are more visible than the ones assigned to taxis.
Many cabdrivers say that they tire of waiting hours in line to pick up fares at the single stand, and that business is bad overall.
"It's getting ugly out there. That means bad customer service," said Brian McBride, who runs the Yellow and Zone cab companies, both of which no longer regularly wait in the taxi stand. "You get rid of all the shuttles, and they [cabs] would still be starving out there. The town is dead."
Szabo has met with the drivers twice since the protest and plans to meet again with them this week to discuss possible future changes.
He said the airport has now issued warnings to shuttle drivers, skycaps and others caught illegally soliciting business in the terminal.
Szabo said the city is investigating whether it could move the taxi stand to a more visible location or add another waiting area, while still meeting federal security standards.
The airport also may hire a starter, an employee who helps passengers find a cab and watches for drivers who refuse to take low fares. Columbus and Pittsburgh airports have starters.
Szabo said the airport might split its taxi stand line in two, one for short-distance runs and the other for higher-fare trips.