Budapest Airport picks taxi tender winner

The Zona Service Konzorcium, made up of seven companies, won the exclusive right to await passengers at the airport's arrivals area beginning August 15, Budapest Airport chief executive Chris Woodruff said at a press conference in Budapest today. The deal allows the airport to earn as much as Ft 135 million a year by charging drivers a Ft 450 fee per departure. “This will enable us to pursue our long-term ambition: lower airport fees,” Woodruff said.
BAA Plc., the world’Ís second largesdt airport operator, which bought Ferihegy Airport for ₤1.26 billion last December, has made a priority of reducing fees that are about 20% higher than at Prague's Ruzyne International Airport, according to a company estimate. By choosing a news taxi service it also wants to end 16 years of complaints about aggressive taxi drivers who overcharge passengers. Zona's service will offer fares at about 31% lower than current charges, Woodruff said.
Presently, a ride from the airport to Parliament costs Ft 5,200. Zona's drivers will charge Ft 3,500, according to a press release. Cars will also be outfitted with a computer system allowing passengers to submit complaints directly to Budapest Airport, Woodruff said.
The company will ensure drivers obey rules by sending plainclothes “mystery shoppers” to assess performance, and will terminate its contract with Zona should drivers fail to obey the rules, Woodruff said.