Posted on: Wednesday, July 23, 2003

Two companies apply to run airport taxi concession

By Mike Leidemann
Advertiser Transportation Writer

Two companies, including the one with the present contract, have applied for a second time to run the taxi management concession at Honolulu International Airport, officials said yesterday.

TheCab and one other company submitted bids to run the concession by Monday's deadline.

TheCab, which took over taxi dispatching at the airport earlier this year, said it offered a bid even though the state's request for proposals specifically barred existing taxi companies from applying.

The Transportation Department has said that it wants an independent company to run the dispatch concession to prevent charges of favoritism that occurred under the previous operator.

TheCab is providing "a level playing field" for all taxi drivers and should be allowed to seek the contract, said Darwin Abenoja, the company's controller.

"We think we're doing a good job and should have a fair chance to continue," Abenoja said.

It's the second time this year that the state has solicited proposals for the concession. In June, the first request, which barred companies that had not been in business in Hawai'i for two years, was canceled to give Mainland as well as Hawai'i firms a chance to seek the concession.

A spokesman for the Transportation Department, which did not identify the other bidder, yesterday said that the agency will evaluate the proposals, pick one, and try to negotiate a contract.