Tourist taxi drivers reiterate demand for eight-minute free pick up and drop facility at Mangaluru International Airport

Reiterating the demand for eight-minute free pick-up and drop facility for tourist taxis at the Mangaluru International Airport, the Taximen’s and Maxicab Associations from Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts on Tuesday urged the airport authorities to stop collecting ₹50 as airport access charge from taxis, autorickshaws, and other commercial vehicles.

Talking to reporters in Mangaluru on Tuesday, Udupi district association president K. Raghupati Bhat said taxis from the two districts coming to pick passengers from the airport are being charged ₹180 for the first 30 minutes since entry to the airport. The associations had staged a protest on August 4 and the airport had assured of slashing the charge, but to no avail. The charge is higher compared to the ₹160 being collected at Bengaluru International Airport for the same time duration, they said.

“Mangaluru airport has been collecting ₹50 from commercial taxis and autos since October 1. We demand the charge be reduced to ₹100. Airport access charge should not be collected from commercial vehicles. If our demand is not met in another 10 days, then we will hold another protest near the airport,” Mr. Bhat said.

Airport responds

A spokesperson for the airport said access charges for commercial vehicles are an established practice at airports across the country. The charge was introduced recently for commercial vehicles at Mangaluru airport. The airport operator incurs significant expenditure on security arrangements, electricity supply, infrastructure maintenance, and the personnel and facilities required for traffic management. In addition, essential amenities, including sanitation facilities, are being provided for drivers and visitors arriving to drop off or pick up passengers.

This is the first time the airport has introduced the charge and taxi drivers are likely to collect it from passengers, the spokesperson said.