Airport Finalizes New Rates for Cabs

Wednesday, the Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport finalized new rates for taxi cabs picking up and dropping off customers, but many cab drivers object to the new rates. They say the new fares will drastically lower their revenue and make it hard to stay in business.

Many of the drivers from the smaller taxi companies say the new rates will reduce their revenue by as much as 30%. The Airport Commission finalized a rate map to standardize cab fares and make the fares more affordable for airport customers. For example, a trip from the airport to the Beau Rivage could cost a rider as much as $40, but with the new rates, the trip will only cost $34.

Airport officials tell News 25 they’re just trying to improve customer service, but the small cab companies say what the airport is doing is wrong and they’re prepared to file a lawsuit. Michael Prestia, attorney for disgruntled cab drivers, says, “Bottom line is you cannot make a living on the fares they’re setting. Those figures do not take into account the expenses the drivers and taxi cab companies have. They’re too low.”

The new fares go into effect October 1st.