‘Airport Taxi’ under spotlight

Ministry of Tourism finalizes plan to end random pricing, overcharging tourists

June 24, 2011- The Ministry of Tourism has come up with a plan to tackle the rampant behavior of ‘Airport Taxi’ drivers as part of its effort to improve the quality of tourism in the country, An-Nahar daily reported Friday (June 24).

According to An-Nahar, the plan, to be announced next week, states the establishment of an office for airport taxi services at the Beirut International Airport. The office would give each customer a coupon which determines the destination and the price of the ride, as well as the name of the driver and the plate number of the car.

Many tourists have complained that taxis at the airport do not abide by the official rate and tend to overcharge travelers, and Tourism Minister Fadi Abboud has repeatedly criticized the taxi situation. New official rates, as well as actual procedures will be published next week.

Minister Abboud told An-Nahar that the Syndicate of Public Drivers will be in charge of the office, while the Tourism Police will monitor the work. He said the plan is prelude to establishing a company in which ‘Airport Taxi’ drivers hold the majority of shares.