Airport Shuttle Restrictions Protested

(posted Dec 15)

Dee Wilson, property owner of 1500 S. High School Road, complained to State Representative Phil Hinkle during his town hall meeting about the Indianapolis Airport Authority's courtesy vehicle permit agreement with Metro Airport Parking. Wilson does not own Metro Airport Parking, just the land.

He protested the IAA's courtesy vehicle permit fee that requires ten percent of all revenue, even if the business offers services other than parking. He said the IAA does not want competition from private parking as the reason for fees. He wanted to know if the 10 percent fee is allowed. The IAA charges private parking companies for curb drop off and pick up. The service agreement states that operators must access the airport terminal building from I-70. The use of Perimeter Road is prohibited; if violated, it could mean the termination of the agreement.

He protested that Metro Airport Parking's shuttle buses can't use Perimeter Road while Fed Ex trucks and Indy Go buses can. Wilson wanted to know what law allows the airport to stipulate certain roads to be used in the service agreements.

State Representative Phil Hinkle said he didn't understand how the IAA can regulate a private business that is not on airport property.

According to IAA Executive Director Robert Duncan, the airport's interior roads were vacated from 1972 to 1992, so the IAA can stipulate the routes in the agreement. He said the IAA owns the roads including Perimeter Road, which was built by the airport. He said that High School Road south of Pierson Road was vacated to the IAA in1992.

Duncan said the new airport terminal is designed for interstate access to be the most efficient route and additional traffic on Perimeter Road will create congestion because the shuttles make daily multiple visits.