Ak Airport and Ak Taxi Association resolve taxi concerns
Auckland Taxi Association
Media Release
12 December 2013
Auckland Airport and Auckland Taxi Association resolve protesting taxi driver concerns
Auckland Airport and the Auckland Taxi Association have met and resolved the concerns of the protesting taxi drivers.
Richard Barker, Auckland
Airport’s general manager retail and commercial, and
Manmohan Singh, spokesman for the Auckland Taxi Association,
say, “We are very pleased to have finally
resolved the drivers’ concerns.”
“We have agreed to
the following actions that are intended to improve the
income levels and work environment of taxi drivers, while at
the same time ensuring that any actions do not negatively
impact airport passengers and the non-Association taxi
drivers working at the
airport:
1. Auckland Airport continuing
to support the transfer of any driver who wishes to transfer
to other licenced airport taxi
companies.
2. Auckland Airport
trialling a new short fare system that allows free flow taxi
drivers to re-enter directly into the main rank after they
have completed a short fare trip. This is expected to
reduce by 50% the drivers’ waiting time for their next
fare and allow taxi drivers a full fare faster. Auckland
Airport has revised the geographic boundary of the airport
precinct fare to the airport land boundary – Verissimo
Drive to the North and the scenic viewing area on Puhinui
Road - and will provide additional rank spaces for returning
short fare taxis at both
terminals.
3. Auckland Airport
arranging a meeting next week between the Auckland Taxi
Association and the ADT traffic marshals to improve the
relationship between
parties.
4. Auckland Airport trialling
the use of a transport concierge at the international
terminal to ensure that passengers are aware of all
available transport options. This aims to solve concerns
that customers are confused as to where the front of rank is
and it may also reduce the number of short fares and fare
refusals by increasing customer awareness of the free
inter-terminal bus option.
5. Auckland
Airport improving external signage at the domestic terminal,
and internal and external signage at the international
terminal that directs customers to the free flow taxi rank
via door 7. Signage will include floor decals, poster boards
and wayfinding. Temporary signage will be arranged
immediately and permanent signage will be installed early
2014. Auckland Airport will also facilitate improved access
to the free flow rank at the international terminal by the
removal of one seat and the addition of ground markings at
door 8. At the domestic terminal Auckland Airport will
improve access by removing the surplus taxi spaces prior to
the barrier and realigning external ground
markings.
6. Auckland Airport upgrading the following taxi driver work environment facilities: sunshelter, drinking water and toilets.
“The above actions will be reviewed by Auckland Airport after one year, with a progress review of these actions undertaken by 30 April 2014. In order to foster and maintain a good relationship the Association and Auckland Airport will meet quarterly.”
“As a result of this agreement Auckland Taxi Association agrees to stop its protest action and resume work at the airport.”
Ends