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Issue link: http://airportbusiness.epubxp.com/i/532707
MANAGING AIRPORTS TODAY June/July 2015 airportbusiness 27 the ability to report vehicle location and identify the specific phase of TNC activity (app open, customer request accepted, customer in vehicle, ride completed). As a result, TNC vehicles can be tracked, and trip fees can be calculated, using GPS and trip data. John Wayne Airport is currently in discussions with Transcore Inc., its existing AVI system provider, to determine whether TNC opera- tors can send activity reports to its existing AVI system. The American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE) also offers a system that tracks app-based ground transporta- tion transactions. In both systems, the data used to generate trip fee billings is ultimately supplied by TNC oper- ators. Regardless of the system the airport ultimately selects, the airport's view is that it's important to audit the accuracy of the TNC-provided data by conducting periodic curbside observations of TNC activity. John Wayne Airport's TNC Ground Transportation Permit requires TNCs to provide monthly trip reports that show all driver activity at the airport. Field audits are part of its stan- dard quality control program for all commercial ground transportation AVI system users. In addition to tracking TNC vehicles, the airport's new permit also addresses the unique insurance requirements associated with this business model. To avoid potential issues associated with inadequate or expired driver insurance, or instances where more than one insurance company is responsible for driver lia- bility, the John Wayne Airport permit requires that TNCs provide primary insurance at all times while drivers are on airport property. By the summer of 2014, a draft TNC Ground Transportation Permit was completed and was provided to multiple TNCs for review and com- ment. The collaborative approach to the permit development process ensured both the airport and the TNCs could fully discuss their respective concerns prior to a final decision. A PERMIT IN PLACE A year later in March 2015, the TNC Ground Transportation Permit was approved by the Orange County Board of Supervisors. Supervisor Michelle Steel, whose district includes John Wayne Airport, made the motion to initiate the permit process. "It is important that we allow a free and fair market for these providers, but also that we take steps to ensure a safe environment for passengers," she says. Within days of the Board's action, permits were issued to Lyft, Uber and Wingz. Since being authorized to pick up passen- gers at John Wayne Airport, Airport Police Services and Operations staff have logged samples of TNC activity by company name as depicted by the trade dress (corporate logo displayed in or on the vehicle), vehicle license number and time of passenger pickup. Airport officials have been pleased to see that their logs exactly match the data provided by the TNCs. Clearly, this is a service passengers wanted to see at the airport; demand for TNC services has been impressive from day one. While there were many concerns at the outset about ensur- ing the safety of airport customers, providing a level playing field with other ground transporta- tion providers and protecting the county from liability, the airport reports it has been able to address—and resolve—these concerns and has been able to help make this very popular ser- vice available to passengers at John Wayne Airport. "TNCs are a new and innovatve business model that provides a popular transportaton opton for many of our travelers. It was important for us to fnd ways to accommodate this new technology." TODD SPITZER, CHAIRMAN, BOARD OF SUPERVISORS Scot Hagan, Deputy Airport Director, Operatons John Wayne Airport Scot Hagen is the deputy airport director of Oper- atons at John Wayne Airport. Prior to this role, he was the manager of Landside Operatons at the John Wayne Airport for more than six years. ABOUT THE AUTHOR