LAX JAM COSTLY FOR TAXI RIDERS ORANGE ALERT HAS CAB PASSENGERS SEEING RED.

Byline: Rick Orlov Staff Writer

More security at Los Angeles International Airport has led to higher taxi fares - as much as an extra $9 a ride - for passengers who find themselves stuck in traffic, with the meter running due to reduced access.

Curbside drop-offs and pickups have been banned because of the orange- level terror alert, so the two right lanes of the airport's World Way have been closed to through traffic. Taxis and other vehicles are having to make their way in the remaining lanes, with the usual congestion made worse by the holiday travel crush.

``Because of the reduction in the number of lanes, we are having a backup in traffic and some passengers are having to pay higher fares,'' said Tom Drischler, taxicab administrator for the city.

But LAX officials said the problems are caused mostly by cab drivers who are unfamiliar with access roads and World Way, where the two right lanes can be used by emergency and commercial vehicles.

``We have done what we can to make it easier for commercial vehicles,'' LAX spokesman Paul Haney said. ``Once they're in the Central Terminal area, they can just sail through.

``Those drivers who work at the airport regularly have figured out the system and are not having a problem.''

But Drischler said a check with taxi companies shows delays getting into and leaving the terminal, resulting in higher charges as meters continue to tick. Some drivers told him fares have been as much as $9 more than usual because of long waits in traffic - with the meter adding 20 cents for each 32 seconds spent idling.

``We want to work with the airport to try to figure out a way to get the taxis moving more quickly,'' he said.

However, other city officials who asked not to be identified questioned whether cab drivers were taking advantage of enhanced security restrictions.

``It could be they are purposely going on roads they know are crowded and blaming the higher security,'' one official said.

Haney said LAX officials have been doing all they can to minimize the impact on passengers - particularly during peak travel periods in the morning and afternoon.

``We have taken out commercials in English and Spanish to advise people of the situation,'' Haney said. ``We are telling people we think the best thing they can do is use our remote lots and take shuttles in directly to the terminals.''

City and airport officials also are looking for a system that can be used during the current orange alert, and any imposed in the future.

``After 9-11, there was a lot of confusion,'' Drischler said. ``And, every time we go to the higher level, we have some problems. We are looking for a way to figure it out.''

Mayor James Hahn was looking into the matter to see what steps should be taken, aides said.

``We have talked with LAX and transportation officials and it appears the problem is not inside the airport,'' spokeswoman Elizabeth Kaltman said. ``We will try to do more to let people know the best way to get into the airport.''

However, Dimetre Zarez of United Taxi of the San Fernando Valley said his drivers have been complaining about delays getting into the airport.

``Sometimes it takes up to 45 minutes just to get in and drop people off,'' Zarez said. ``And, getting out of the airport has been a problem, too. It is taking a long time even to get to the passengers and then to get out of the airport.''

The issue over taxi fares comes as the city hopes to launch a new crackdown on bandit cabs - those not licensed by the city.

``The issue is really one of public safety,'' Drischler said. ``We have nine legitimate cab companies operating in the city with about 2,300 vehicles. And, all their drivers are given criminal background checks for the past seven years, have licenses and are insured.

``A lot of the bandit operators don't have insurance and many don't even have driver's licenses.''

Drischler said the city's Department of Transportation has proposed a program to charge the companies $1 a day per cab, which would generate $750,000 a year to pay for police officers to crack down on bandit operators.

``Bandit drivers are an ongoing source of outrage. They are taking some $30 million in business a year from legitimate companies and we want to stop the danger to the public,'' Drischler said.

The bandits operate in the more crowded areas of the city, such as Hollywood, where people hail them for rides. The bandits are excluded from LAX, Union Station and most hotels, Drischler said.

Howard Sunkin, a lobbyist who represents several cab companies, said the industry supports the department's plan.

``We've been working with the city for years to try to crack down on bandits,'' Sunkin said. ``The city is doing their best, but they have limited manpower.

``We hope this will provide enough for a permanent task force to move aggressively against bandits.''

The public can distinguish the bandits from city-approved cabs by the license given to legitimate firms.

People can file complaints on a city hotline, [phone].

Rick Orlov, [phone]

rick.orlov(at)dailynews.com

L.A. TAXI FARE

How the dollars add up:$2 flag drop (first 1/10 mile or 32 seconds or fraction thereof).

20 cents for each additional 1/10 mile.

20 cents for each 32 seconds of waiting or traffic-delay time.

$2.50 surcharge for all trips originating at LAX.

SOURCE: city of Los Angeles 

CAPTION(S):

box

Box:

L.A. TAXI FARE (see text)