Ben Gurion taxi drivers considering strike over mandatory 12% fare discount
The Israel Airports Authority is raising ire among taxi drivers after requiring them to offer a 12% fare discount to passengers leaving Ben Gurion airport; move comes after rival taxi companies failed to come to an arrangement following a strike over tenders earlier this year.
Drivers who are not inclined to offer such a discount will be required to wait on the second floor, which is considered less convenient for travelers, who can only access the area by stairs or the elevator.
Some taxi drivers, who claim that the price is too low after the fare was reduced by 7% last year, say they intend to strike due to what they call a "unilateral decision whose legality is in doubt."
The IAA is considering this step after the tender for a taxi operation at Ben Gurion was cancelled when the two winners of the bidding process—Gett and Hadar-Lod—failed to come to an agreement.
Gett promised to offer a 30% discount to passengers from Ben Gurion, while drivers from the Hadar-Lod station and others refused such an arrangement. As a result, the IAA opened Ben Gurion to business for all drivers, even those who are not offering discounts.
One driver who once drove for Gett, but left the company after his dues ballooned from NIS 350 a month to NIS 1,200, said, "I couldn't work there anymore. They behave like a hi-tech company, not like a cab company that cares about the livelihood of its employees."
The Hadar taxi company operated out of the airport for decades and offered discounts on trips to the airport, but not from the airport.
The IAA issued a statement in response to the new controversy, saying, "The open sky policy has led to a dramatic increase in passenger traffic, and therefore the IAA is working to reduce the cost of flying for the public by introducing a wide variety of activities and products. The issue of taxis from Ben-Gurion Airport is in the discussion and decision stage."
