City of Austin
Austin-Bergstrom International AirportGround Transportation Fees
Carlton Thomas, CAPPAirport Landside Access Manager
Initial Assessment• In early 2017, AUS initiated an assessment of all Ground
Transportation fees.• AUS was experiencing costs of over $3M annually to
operate its GT program.• Revenue generated to cover those costs were only
$900,000.• GT fees had not been evaluated in over 20 years, in some
cases.• The shortfall in cost recovery led to utilizing over $2M in
parking revenues to subsidize the GT operation.• As an airport that was experiencing significant growth,
those revenues could otherwise be used to accommodate airport growth, improve facilities for all customers and pay debts.
• All GT modes would be evaluated to bring their fee schedules in line with current needs.
2020 AGTA Spring ConferenceNashville, TN March 8th – 11th
Considerations• Existing fees seemed very random with no clear
reasoning to support them.• Fee types to be evaluated:
– Permit Fees - Administrative Fees– Trip Fees - Special Event Permit Fees
• Base new fees on Cost Recovery• Current Fees (per trip):
– Taxicabs - $1.00– TNCs - $1.00– Limousines - $2.50– Hotel Shuttles - $2.50– Charter Vans/Shared Ride Shuttles - $2.50– Charter Buses - $15.00
Airport City Taxis Limos
ORD Chicago $4/trip $18/trip
DFW Dallas $4/trip $4.43/trip
DAL Dallas $2.5/trip $2.5/trip
DEN Denver $4.57/trip $2.37/trip
LAS Las Vegas $2/trip $4/trip
PHX Phoenix $4/trip $6/trip
MIA Miami $2/trip $3/trip
IAH Houston $2.75/trip $1.5/trip
SEA Seattle $2.5/trip $4.65/trip
MDW Chicago $4/trip $18/trip
BOS Boston $2.25 $3.75/trip
2020 AGTA Spring ConferenceNashville, TN March 8th – 11th
Cost Recovery – Factors ConsideredItems to be considered by using the Cost Recovery method:• Staff Costs– Direct– Indirect
• Facilities– GTSA– Roadway/curbside
• Prescribed Routes• Allocated Curbspace
• Resources:– GTMS– Security System
2020 AGTA Spring ConferenceNashville, TN March 8th – 11th
Formula 1) Impacts to Infrastructure
a) Use of Facilitiesb) Space needs/allocationsc) O&M Costsd) Materiel use and coste) Additional resources
2) Costs (Direct/Indirect):a) Staff time cleaning & maintaining buildings/lotsb) IT Support; Hardware & software; and other C&C
3) Ensure GT Operators Share Costs Equitably
4) Analyze Results – Make Recommendationsa) Vehicle size/capacity vs. Industry typeb) Incremental Implementation
Capital DepreciationFacility Development costPresidential Blvd.Freight, Rental Car, Hotel & Employee
Operating ExpensesDirect (GT) Staff CostsIndirect (Management) Staff CostFacility Services Staff CostField/Building Maint. Staff CostField/Building Maint. Material CostOther Commodities & Contractuals
Total Annual Cost
2020 AGTA Spring ConferenceNashville, TN March 8th – 11th
OBJECT FY 18 PROPOSED FEES
FY 19 PROPOSED FEES
FY 20 PROPOSED FEES
FY 21 PROPOSED FEES
FY 22 PROPOSED FEES
GT Admin Fee $3.00 $3.00 $3.00 $3.00 $3.00
Special EventPermit
$25.00 $25.00 $25.00 $25.00 $25.00
Operating Permit
1 to 8 Passenger $150.00 $150.00 $150.00 $150.00 $150.00
> 8 Passenger $200.00 $200.00 $200.00 $200.00 $200.00
Trip Fees
1 to 8 Passenger(Taxi)
$2.00 $2.50 $3.00 $3.50 Cost Recovery
1 to 8 Passenger (Limo)
$3.50 $3.50 $3.50 $3.50 Cost Recovery
9 to 23 Passenger $3.50 $4.00 $4.50 $5.00 Cost Recovery
>23 Passenger $15.00 $15.00 $15.00 $15.00 Cost Recovery
2020 AGTA Spring ConferenceNashville, TN March 8th – 11th
Transportation Network Company Fees• Local regulation preempted by
new Texas State Law• “Reasonable Fee” guidance:
4 Options Provided under Rulemaking Process1. Existing Fees2. Cost Recovery approach with market-based returns3. Adopt market-based rates in effect at airports with similar characteristics4. Airport and TNC may enter into agreement to determine reasonable market-based
fees• First Step – Conduct Cost Recovery Analysis• Conduct Negotiations• Implement agreed-upon fee and re-evaluate annually
2020 AGTA Spring ConferenceNashville, TN March 8th – 11th
Conclusion – Moving Forward• Re-evaluate GT fees system-wide after the 2021-22 budget
cycle.• Consider subdividing the 9 to 23 passenger category:– 9 to 16 passenger– 17 to 23 passenger
• Monetizing the Curb:– Terminal curb access is highly desirable– Drop-off fee
2020 AGTA Spring ConferenceNashville, TN March 8th – 11th
Questions?Carlton Thomas, CAPPAirport Landside Access ManagerAustin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS)[email protected](512) 530-7586