Gander Deputy Mayor Bettina Ford says she’s heard that people flying into Gander International Airport can end up waiting long periods to get a taxi. (Gander International Airport Authority)
Travellers flying into Gander International Airport might have trouble getting into town after their flight. That’s because the only taxi company is without a full complement of drivers.
But the town says work is underway to address the community’s transportation gaps.
“I’ve heard feedback from people that they’ve had to wait for a while for taxi service,” Deputy Mayor Bettina Ford told CBC Radio’s Newfoundland Morning. “So, from a tourism perspective, that definitely is concerning. It’s of interest to the town.”
Town regulations allow 40 taxis licences. However, there is currently only one taxi stand that has 20 licences, said Ford.
It makes for a challenging position, as the hit musical Come From Away continues to bring people from all over the world to the central Newfoundland town.
Ford says taxis are a business that make decisions around fiscal viability, including the peak hours of flights coming into the airport, the time shows end or when clubs close, as well as the cost of gas and insurance.
The idea of the town subsidizing taxis is a good idea to help expand services, said Ford, but it isn’t something council is looking into.
Ford said they are open to new taxi registrants getting more cabs on the road and that council has been kicking the tires on Uber.
“I feel — yes, that as part of our tourism package, the transportation, the movement of visitors in our community and how we can help and work with the taxi companies — it’s something, you know, we probably should be looking at,” said Ford.
Issue at airport
Gander International Airport Authority president and CEO Reg Wright said timely, on the ground transportation has been an issue since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We regularly measure traveller sentiment at the airport. This is one of the lowest-scoring areas of the passenger experience,” Wright told CBC News in an email. “We want to ensure great beginnings and ends for everyone’s journey, including getting to and from the airport. We continue to work with our community partners to explore all options for improvement.”
Gander town regulations allow 40 taxis licences. However, there is currently only one taxi stand that has 20 licences. (Courtesy of Gander International Airport)
Wright said he’s aware people have had problems getting taxis, adding that the pandemic has made it difficult to recruit and retain drivers.
“Most of us travel with the assumption ground transportation will be available at the airport, so it’s a serious inconvenience when it’s not,” he wrote.
Transportation boost
Ford said the town has received $50,000 in funding from the federal government’s Rural Transportation Solutions Fund to help develop transportation infrastructure.
The town will use that money to identify what types of infrastructure are needed so then changes and improvements can begin, she said.
“So solutions may be around expanded trail access. It might be around bike paths. It might be around, you know, non-profit providing busing services,” Ford said. “It could be, you know, welcoming Uber into the community. It could be speaking with the taxi stands and the taxi licence holders about expanding their service as well.”
Wright added he’d like to see the funding improve transportation around the airport.
“Hopefully the federal funding provided to the town can clarify the need and what the solutions might be, with particular attention to what barriers might exist for current operators to grow their service, and some sustainable approaches where public transportation could create the linkages airport customers need.”
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