During a Commission meeting on Tuesday, September 12, Port of Seattle Commissioners and executive director took actions to address issues raised by on-demand taxi and flat rate drivers serving Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.
Commissioners accelerated a budget authorization to rehabilitate a restroom facility for on-demand drivers at the S. 160th St. Ground Transportation Lot. In addition, Commissioners approved funding to potentially construct a new smaller facility for other ground transportation partners.
The Port of Seattle interim executive director Dave Soike announced Port plans to address three issues raised recently during discussions with drivers. First, the Port will permit current drivers with Prius V vehicles to continue to operate those vehicles in the airport fleet. Second, the interim executive director also announced that the Port would maintain the current per-trip fee, despite a planned increase that was outlined in the Eastside for Hire contract. Finally, the Port announced that it was reviewing a proposal to establish more parity between Transportation Network Companies like Uber and Lyft and taxis.
