Washington, D.C. (February 5, 2014). – The Metro Washington Airport Authority accepted public comments on January 24, 2014,regarding: an increase in the taxicab dispatch and operator’s fee at Reagan National Airport, an increase in the permit fee for rental car companies operating from a location outside of the airport, and an increase in the permit fee for hotel shuttles by the Metro Washington Airport Authority(MWAA).
The Hotel Transportation Coalition, founded in 2009 to unify the voice of the hotel owners, operators and staff members working closely with the MWAA, estimate the proposed increases in airport shuttle fees would result in a 150%-300% increase in airport access costs. At a minimum, this action will raise costs by $300 per vehicle per month for transportation provided as a courtesy to travelers.
This latest proposed increase comes on the tail end of the 2013 Transportation Bill which added an additional 2% occupancy tax as well as an increase of 1% sales tax to hotels across NoVa. Northern Virginia has felt the severe impact of sequestration, our Government Shutdown, and policies like the 30% cut back in government travel budgets. This added issue places a hardship on an industry already impacted by numerous financial drains. If not already, the proposed increase will impact employment in NoVa.
Over one-hundred hospitality industry representatives appeared before the MWAA in opposition to the fee increase at the first MWAA Hearing held at Dulles International Airport on January 7, 2014 and a second hearing held at Reagan National Airport on January 9, 2014. Having vibrant and efficient metropolitan airports is essential to our local economy; VHTA stands with The Hotel Transportation Coalition in seeking a collaborative solution to this issue. The issue is said to be decided at the March 15, 2014 MWAA Board Meeting.
