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Denver International Airport Ground Transportation Advisory Board Minutes
Denver International Airport
Ground Transportation Advisory Board Minutes
June 8, 2011
Meeting called to order by Chairman John Hafer at 10:00
In attendance:
Bob Feder, Limo DIA Car Service; Mary Norby, Carey Limousine; Parviz Rajabi, Denver City Express; John Hafer, A Custom Coach ;Ben Deal, Chad Lindholm, Clean Energy; Judy Dennis, VPG Auto; Tammy Ashe, Phil Long Ford; Amber Berendowsky, Ashley Gamble, Sean McBride, Metro Taxi; Bob Laws, Colorado PUC; Harry Thomas, FMCSA; Dave Rudy, Road Runner; Jack Van Horn, Home James; Mike Percy, Pat Vialpando, Jamie Salas, Francine Crusan, DIA Ground Transportation, Wendell Hawkins, DIA Airport Security; A Class Above, Barry Gomes; Henry Jones, DPD; Mikyas Ayele, DIA Park LTD; Tim Burton, Hertz; Wayne Roberson, Yellow Cab; Khalid Elmanouzi, Golden West Shuttle; Emal Zadron, 1srt ABC Transportation; Richard Morris, Freedom Cabs; Merse Takele, Union Taxi; Rachid Zouhair, Golden West Shuttle; Ed Sifferlin, ASE; Jose Martinez, RTD
Introduction
Mike Percy introduced new members of the Advisory Board, due to recent vacancies: Limousine representative, Mary Norby and Union Taxi representative, Merse Takele. Also introduced were special guests, Harry Thomas, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration; Ben Deal, Chad Lindholm, Clean Energy; Judy Dennis, VPG Autos; and Tammy Ashe from Phil Long Ford. The Clean Energy group was available after the meeting to display a new production model vehicle with CNG fuel option, and to discuss products for alternative fuel vehicles.
John Hafer, led off with introductions of others in attendance.
Old Business
Security: Authorizing Agent Update
Wendell Hawkins, from Security, updated the Board on future office closures and class cancelations. The Authorizing Agent class scheduled for June 15th. has been canceled. Security Office closures are scheduled for June 16th , noon-3pm for a staff meeting, July 1st due to the Security staff taking a mandatory furlough day, and on the 4th of July, in observance of Independence Day. Reminder: all Ground Transportation drivers must display their Airport ID badges at all times on airport property. If a badge is not operable or is damaged, it needs to be replaced. Contact the Security office with any questions regarding badging issues, at 303-342-4300. Replacement badges can be obtained during regular office hours without an appointment; however, for new or renewal of badges, it is highly recommended that an appointment be made in advance. It was also discussed that Mitch Greenberg, from Security, would like to post reminder signage in the Holding Lot and perhaps on level five to remind operators of the necessity of having their airport ID badges properly displayed.
Dwell Time Project Update
Per earlier Board meeting discussions, driver credentials in a badge-type format, will be issued to all taxi cab drivers as part of the dwell time project. The credentials will be read at antennae installed at the entries and exit points in the Holding Lot, and will allow the PUC, Ground Transportation and Taxi Operators to acquire reports to help ensure compliance with state mandated duty hours. The credentials will be produced and distributed at the Holding Lot prior to the opening of the 80th Ave. roadway, and also before activation of the dwell time readers. The scope of the project may be expanded to include additional PUC regulated operators in the future. As part of the project, the lot will be re-stripped in certain areas to allow for an exit lane process associated with the 80th Avenue AVI lanes which are slated to open when the project has been completed.
As part of the project, the AVI software will be upgraded to include provision for the taxi operators to enter their daily airport cab dispatch lists into the AVI system software via the internet.
Website
Again this month, Francine Crusan reminded the operators that the fly Denver website rating feature is for consumer use only. The Ground Transportation website is still seeing questionable negative and positive comments posted in the consumer rating system. Unless there is customer contact information, the comments or ratings may not be considered. The issue of fraudulent comments and ratings continues to be of concern. Identifiable cases of inappropriate comments/ratings may be addressed with those making such entries, and may result in an operator’s listing being removed from DIA’s website, if it is determined they have violated the provisions of their access permit. Only verifiable comments, positive or negative, are forwarded onto the operators for response or resolution. The Ground Transportation staff is continuously monitoring the links from the website to the operators’ homepages. Any extraneous or inappropriate advertising will be removed from the webpage at the airport’s discretion. Please direct website questions to Francine at 303-342-4056.
New Business
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA)
Customer Service phone # 1-888-368-7238
Web site: www.fmcsa.dot.gov
Harry Thomas, Federal Program Manager with the FMCSA, was in attendance to explain the function of his office as it relates to Ground Transportation operators at Denver International Airport. The FMCSA is interested in safety issues, compliance with vehicle markings, and consumer comments. DIA rules on vehicle markings are being analyzed to help ensure compliance with FMCSA / PUC requirements. For example, if an interstate vehicle is red, then outside markings need to be in a contrasting color and the lettering must be visible and legible from 50ft. Affected commercial operators are subject to inspections at any given time. The federal inspectors work closely with the Motor Carrier Unit of the Denver Police to help ensure compliance. To view the related regulations or to seek interpretation of regulations, please visit the website listed above. There is also a link for consumers to view insurance information for any registered interstate operator at www.safety.org.
It is the operator’s / owner’s responsibility to ensure that all vehicles are in compliance with safety rules and regulations affecting their individual services. The airport staff is trained to spot and report any related issues to their chain of command and involved operators.
Contact Information
Please remember it is every operator’s responsibility to keep Ground Transportation updated with any changes to their company’s contact information, including business address, phone numbers, email address, and current vehicle information: current license plate numbers, any new vehicles / VIN information, and unit numbers, if applicable. These updates are critical for recordkeeping and communication purposes. Updates can be sent to the Ground Transportation administration office; if you have any questions, please contact the administrative office at 303-342-4060 or 303-342-4560.
Denver Air Service Profile
Airport management receives quarterly reports specific to passenger numbers. The recent indicators have been positive for an increase in passenger travel at the major US airports, including DIA.
Commuter Meeting Date and Time
The meeting is set for Tuesday, June, 14th at 2:00pm, in the Holding Lot conference room. Any GT Advisory Board member may attend. The Commuter representatives on the Board will arrange for the industry representatives who will attend. Items to be discussed include AVI access; customer service information; and interactions with airport staff, including contract workers and Operations staff.
Additional Discussion
Tag deactivations resulting from outstanding AVI access fees, are scheduled for June 17, 2011.
John Hafer recommended that the airport staff should consider holding a special meeting in July to discuss the upcoming conventions: Shiners and Microsoft. This meeting would be in lieu of the July advisory board meeting. A decision in this regard will be made by time the Commuter meeting is held on June 14th.
The GT administration office, AVI Sales Office and Airport Security offices will be closed on Monday, July 4th in observation of Independence Day.
Ben Deal from Clean Energy discussed new and innovative ideas for alternative fuel vehicles, including CNG powered ones; his group invited all in attendance to see the production vehicle that was brought to the holding lot for the meeting.
Adjournment
With no further discussion, the meeting ended at 11:05.
The next scheduled meeting is at 10:00 am on August 10, 2011 in the Holding Lot Conference Room.
Respectively submitted,
Michael Percy
Ground Transportation Manager
DIA Landside Services