The Atlanta Airport has recently proposed to significantly increase fees to Atlanta ground transportation companies which provide transportation services to and from the ATL Airport. The proposal is in response to a decline in passenger volumes, rising costs, renegotiated airline leases (resulting in a loss of $17M in revenue) and an impending bond sale which will help pay for capital improvements including the Maynard H. Jackson Jr. International Terminal.
Under the current plan, Atlanta limousine and airport shuttle companies pay an annual fee based on the number of vehicles operating at the ATL Airport. The new airport proposal would calculate fees based on a per-trip basis. According to the Atlanta Airport, the proposal would increase annual fees from less than $1 million currently up to $2.7 million per year.
New ATL Airport Ground Transportation Proposal
Shuttles (including hotel shuttles): $1.25 per trip
Limousines: $1.00 per trip
Charter Buses: $5 per trip
Off-Airport Parking Operators: 8% of gross revenue
Taxis: No changes. Trip Fees increased from $.50 to $1.50 in 2009.
Most importantly, the new airport proposal would address concerns about the debt service requirements for the impending bond sale in order to pay for the new International Terminal. The Atlanta Airport wants a 1.5 debt service coverage ratio (DSCR) before it goes to the bond market. The proposed increase would result in a DSCR of approximately 1.41.
