Airport taxis to get unified tariff, uniform, and livery

The Ministry of Public Works and Transport (MoPWT) has come to a decision that will see the organization of taxis at Beirut Rafic Hariri International Airport.

The Ministry has merged airport ‘service’ with airport ‘taxi’, under ‘airport taxi’, based on a number of conditions. These include unifying the tariff and installing fare meters in the taxi cabs themselves, as well as unifying the livery of all taxis. The conditions also include the formation of a permanent taxi rank, which is a queuing system for taxis waiting for fares.

“These conditions will provide order among taxis, maintain distinguished transport services, and reduce traffic congestion resulting from unlicensed taxis,” the Ministry said.

Present and future taxi owners who wish to operate on the airport’s taxi rank are required to apply for a license from airport management. The present number of taxis listed at the airport is 235, according to the Ministry.

Taxis should be roadworthy, having passed the national vehicle inspection procedures. Taxi owner’s fees must be fully paid and vehicles must not be more than eight years old. Both the vehicle and driver must be in possession of a license from the General Directorate of Land and Maritime Transport at the Ministry. The vehicles should have all-risk insurance with a ceiling of no less than $100,000.

Airport taxis will each be provided by airport management with a specific identity number and label, both in English and Arabic, which is to be displayed on the windshield.

Each taxi must have a box containing sealed envelopes that determine the airport’s tariff should the meter malfunction. A plate showing in English and Arabic the registration number, the driver’s name, and the telephone number of the airport management is to be placed on the dashboard.

Taxi drivers will be expected to wear a uniform and speak decently with passengers and other drivers.

All taxis and ‘service’ vehicles that are not listed and licensed by airport management, whether empty or fully laden, are forbidden from entering the airport’s arrival lane.