Taxi Alternate Days

March 2012

Dawn Huddleston

Commercial Roadway Systems Manager

PDX Taxi Facts

• Taxis must be permitted by the City of Portland to operate at PDX

• City Code allows no more than 65% of any taxi fleet at airport

• Five companies operate at PDX – total of 256 taxis permitted, City has six companies -382 taxis permitted

• No head of the line privileges for alternative fuel vehicles or short fares

• City of Portland is responsible for setting taxi rates – currently $5.00 flag drop at the airport, $2.40 per mile ($2.30 per mile/10¢ per mile fuel surcharge)

Taxi Issues prior to Alternate Days

• Taxis lining up blocked parking lot entrance and roadway

• Taxi staging took over hold lot• Average wait for a fare – 4 to 6 hours• Increased short fare refusal• City did not enforce 65% rule – majority of taxis would sit at airport, not serving entire Portland metropolitan area, deadhead back to airport just to get back in line.

After Alternate Day Implementation

• Increased taxi driver revenue – now same # of rides in one day as prior two days at airport, second day is now worked in Portland area – downtown hotels or dispatch.

• Average taxi wait time reduced to 2-3 hours during non-peak periods

• Significantly reduced short fare refusals• During peak periods (Spring Break, Thanksgiving) – both colors allowed to meet customer demand during certain hours (10p-1230a)

Taxi Revenue

Before rate increase• Per trip fees: $1.50• Permit fee $200 – permit valid for 2 years• No per vehicle fee

After rate increase (Jan 2010)• Per trip fees: $2.50• Permit fee $200 – permit valid for 2 years• Per vehicle fee $100 (charged during permit cycle and for replacement vehicles)