The Transportation Ministry announced last week that more than 1.2 million passengers will pass through Ben Gurion Airport during April, with a daily number of about 90,000 passengers during the peak days of Passover, raising concerns about chaos in the taxi lines at the airport.
Last month, the taxi reform at Ben Gurion Airport was launched when Gett Taxi began operating at the airport. Despite high hopes that people will use the app and solve the long-standing taxi chaos, the reform is stalling because drivers are refusing to sign with the company. Since Gett entered the field, passengers have reported waiting for taxis, even on days with only 30,000 passengers pass through the airport.
Avner, a passenger who landed in Israel from the U.S., had to wait almost an hour for a taxi. "I usually book a driver I know in advance, but he told me that the contract obligates him to arrive at the airport two hours in advance, so he has to give it up because my landing was at six in the morning. So I had to wait almost an hour for a taxi. It seems unreasonable to me," he told Ynet.
Yael, who arrived from Dubai, was forced to wait half an hour for a taxi to take her home to Haifa. "After a long day, I wanted to take a cab ride home and not rely on trains," she said. "But instead, I stood in line. They talk here about efficient service, so let them make it like that."
Ultimately, Gett does not have enough available drivers, especially during the early morning rush hours (when Boeing flights from the U.S. land at the airport), and also on weekends when trains and bus services are not running. The airport authorities have tried to overcome the crisis, especially on Fridays, by deploying additional shuttles from Terminal 3 to various locations in the country.
Gett is attempting to solve the crisis by signing additional drivers for the service to increase their fleet at Ben Gurion Airport and divide it into three zones – north, center and south - to streamline queues. In addition, the airport authorities recently approved the company to set up additional digital booking stations at the airport.
After a short pilot, Gett will start operating shared taxis next month, creating a taxi carpool to a pre-determined destination. Each passenger will receive a 20% discount on the fare provided they join other passengers who want to reach the same destination. According to surveys, 90% of the customers who participated said they would be happy to do it again on their next flight. Company executives also admitted that the initiative reduced congestion during peak hours by 30% and will currently operate only in Tel Aviv.
The Transportation Ministry instructed the increase of shared taxis that will travel to up to four locations across the country at a reduced price compared to regular taxis. The airport authorities also plan to increase public transport services on Friday evenings. The enhanced service will also operate on Fridays and holidays and will transport passengers to Tel Aviv.
Israel Railways will operate for two additional hours on Fridays due to daylight savings and the night trains will operate once an hour. The last train from Tel Aviv to Ben Gurion Airport on Friday departs at 16:05, and the last train in the opposite direction departs at 16:50. The last train from Jerusalem to Ben Gurion Airport leaves on Fridays at 16:23 and in the opposite direction two minutes later at 16:25.
In addition to taxis, Tal Limousine, a luxurious 16-seat minibus shuttle service, has begun to compete with Gett at the airport. What was once a VIP service for foreign guests who wanted transportation with a guide turned into a taxi that anyone can rent by appointment.
"Since Gett's entry into Ben Gurion Airport, we have seen a consistent increase in the number of passengers leaving the airport with taxis. Naturally, during the initial period, there may be many challenges. We will continue to work around the clock to improve the passenger's experience coming to and from Ben Gurion Airport," Gett wrote in a statement. Gett reported that, during the first month, 80,000 passengers used its services with about 45,000 trips.
How much does parking cost at Ben Gurion Airport?
And what about those who want to arrive at the airport by car? At Terminal 3, there are the Pardes (Orchard) and Kerem (Vineyard) parking lots where parking is allowed for up to 24 hours with rates of 20 shekels for the first hour and an additional five shekels for every quarter hour. Parking for 24 hours will cost 90 shekels, while a vehicle parked there for more than 24 hours will be towed, and the owner will be charged 135 shekels for towing expenses.
Prices will rise during the high season, which begins on June 15 and lasts until October 31, so the towing expenses will be more expensive during that period. There are also several long-term parking lots such as Parking 15, which operates 24 hours a day and can be reached by shuttles from Terminal 3. The rate in this parking lot is 45 shekels per day outdoors and 80 shekels per day indoors.
In addition, Ben Gurion Airport will also open several other parking lots such as Parking 21 and Parking 22, as well as the West Operations Area parking lots, Parking 26 and 28, which are only open during peak days, where the price is 45 shekels per day.
Anyone flying from Terminal 1, which opens on June 1, can park his car in the terminal parking lot. Parking is available for both short-term stays of up to 24 hours at a cost of 18 shekels for the first hour, with an additional four shekels for every additional quarter hour, and for long-term stays at a daily rate of 45 shekels.