PORTLAND, Maine — Taxicab drivers claim a new proposal for working the Portland International Jetport puts their jobs in jeopardy.
Several dozen independent drivers share fares, but the jetport’s manager wants to replace that system by awarding exclusive rights to just one company. The drivers plan to take their concerns to the Portland City Council on Wednesday night.
Each day, some four-dozen different drivers work the jetport, virtually all of whom are independent drivers. While problems are relatively few, jetport managers contend dealing with one single company simply streamlines the damage control.
“The majority, I think, absolutely do a great job, fundamentally, a great job, but it’s hard to disseminate through 51 individual entities to get at the heart of the problem,” said Paul Bradbury, director of the jetport.
The drivers said switching to a single-company system takes the matter too far, saying they fear it means eliminating their guaranteed daily fares.
“Fifty-one cabs be out on the street, how can we manage in the city?” said Bashir Shuriye, a cab driver.
Under the current system, drivers wait to be called from a ground transport booth for their turn to pick up passengers. Staffing the booth costs the jetport about $100,000 a year, which Bradbury said would be eliminated under a one-company plan.
“With a single, exclusive contract, it self manages … and, probably, there would be revenues to the airport instead of a management expense,” Bradbury said.
Some of the cab drivers said they are prepared for the proposal to pass. While not everyone is on board with the idea, some drivers said the best answer is everyone coming together and forming one company.
“That way, we have better service and the city of Portland can say, ‘We have a better taxi company.’ We can deal with every issue,” said Ilyas Sharif, a cab driver.
Uncertain what change would ultimately bring, many of the drivers admitted they’re scared for their livelihoods.