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Taxis picket at airport

They claim ride-share companies have unfair advantage; Uber, Lyft applying for permits

Kahului Airport Taxi Dispatch Manager Sed Bulda signals a customer to a waiting taxi Tuesday afternoon as a line of drivers waits for a fare. The Maui News / MATTHEW THAYER photos

WAILUKU — Kahului Airport taxi drivers held a demonstration at the airport last week against ride-sharing companies Uber and Lyft,  decrying unauthorized pickups, among other issues.

Maui District Airports Manager Marvin Moniz said Thursday that Uber and Lyft applied within the last month with the state Department of Transportation for permits to pick up passengers.

Currently, Neighbor Island airports only allow ride-sharing companies, also known as Transportation Network Companies, to drop off passengers, DOT spokesperson Tim Sakahara said. The companies match passengers with drivers via websites and mobile apps.

“The Transportation Network Companies have submitted applications for permits and we anticipate announcing additional information soon,” Sakahara said Thursday.

Scores of Kahului Airport taxi drivers showed up to the Jan. 11  demonstration, said driver Clifton Weber of Island Round Taxi. He said  cab operators would picket in shifts.

Los Angeles visitors Shelby and Stacie Linka load their bags into taxi driver Lito Jalayahay’s van Tuesday at Kahului Airport. For their taxi ride to a Wailea hotel, they were quoted by the dispatch manager a fare of “about $58.” They said they had just checked with Uber and the same ride was going to cost $97.

“Right now, Uber and Lyft pick up anywhere they want,” Weber said.  “But if we are in the wrong place, we get a $150 fine. It’s basically not fair.”

Moniz said that although ride-sharing companies are currently restricted from picking up passengers, the rule is hard to enforce because many of the vehicles don’t have visible signage.

“It’s really hard because vehicles are unmarked,” Moniz said. “It’s hard to enforce.”

Uber and Lyft drivers are typically required to display company placards, stickers or other signage.

“If we see anyone not operating in accordance with their permit, then we revoke the permit,” Moniz added.

Sed Bulda, taxi dispatch manager, said he has worked at the Kahului Airport since 1977 and has seen the taxi fleet grow from 10 vehicles then to 127 now.

Many drivers are worried about what the future holds, he said.

“We’re waiting to see what the state of Hawaii is planning to do,” Bulda said on Tuesday. “Right now, my drivers are in the dark. That’s why the demonstration. They’re concerned. They want to know what is happening.”

Linda Pagaduan, who has been a taxi driver for 20 years, said Tuesday that she has seen a steep decline in business, even during the high holiday season for tourists.

“We’re supposed to be busy now, but we’re not,” she said. “This year is so bad; it’s so bad.”

In August, Gov. David Ige approved amended administrative rules to allow ride-sharing companies licensed by the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission or any county agency to apply for a permit from the state Transportation Department. This is the first time rules for commercial services at airports have been amended since 2002, when ride-sharing companies and their technology did not exist.

Since late August, Uber and Lyft drivers have been allowed to pick up and drop off passengers at the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport on Oahu, and state officials anticipated that similar practices would be approved at Neighbor Island airports.

“There’s no way to stop them,” Moniz said. “It’s no different from any other airport in the nation.”

Lauren Alexander, Lyft policy communications manager, said Lyft has been successful at Oahu’s airport so far.

“Lyft is proud to provide visitors and locals on Oahu a reliable transportation option for their airport travel needs and we look forward to ensuring that all travelers throughout the state of Hawaii are afforded the same option in the future,” Alexander said via email Thursday.

Uber spokesperson Nathan Hambley cited support from community members as a reason service will be spreading beyond Oahu.

“We applaud the Hawaii Department of Transportation’s decision to move toward allowing rideshare pickups at Neighbor Island airports,” he said on Thursday. “We’re thankful to the riders, drivers and community members who expressed support for this change.”

Moniz said that if the permits are approved, airport taxi cab companies and ride-sharing companies would possibly be located near one another once ongoing airport construction allows.

“They will likely be in the same area to level the playing field,” he said.

* Staff Writer Matthew Thayer contributed to this story. Kehaulani Cerizo can be reached at kcerizo@ mauinews.com.

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