Albany airport board approves Capitaland Taxi's request for $1-per-ride surcharge

The Business Review (Albany)

Cabs under contract at Albany International Airport have been granted permission to add a $1 surcharge per ride.

The Albany County Airport Authority Board approved the measure yesterday, allowing Capitaland Taxi to add the surcharge.

"When we signed the contract with them in 2005, gas was about $2.21 a gallon," said Doug Myers, the airport's spokesman. "It's approaching $3.80 right now. They requested the increase because their cost of operation is going up so much."

Myers said the board received the request last week.

"We reacted very quickly," Myers said. "We understand their concern." He said Capitaland can begin adding the surcharge as soon as it has proper signage inside its cabs.

The board rejected Capitaland's request to add another 50 cent surcharge per ride if gas rises above $3.80 a gallon.

"We don't see that yet," he said. "They may have to come back before us again."