Tulsa Airport (TUL) Taxi Service

If you have ever arrived at a destination in Tulsa, then had your eyes pop when your cab driver turned around and told you the fare, you are not alone. During a January 6, 2009 City Council committee meeting, councillors called cab rates in Tulsa "bizarre and unpredictable," "incredibly expensive" and "way out of line with the market," among other negative descriptions.

In an attempt to resolve the problem, the council has tasked Tulsa International Airport officials with recommending a reasonable rate that might be imposed on cab companies, which now set their own rates. Airport officials frequently handle complaints from cab customers who feel they've been ripped off, especially because cabs at the airport often charge an "optional" USD 8 departure fee in addition to their other charges, which typically include a USD 1.50-2.00 charge to start the meter and a per-mile charge that customers say ranges from USD 1.50-3.00. Passengers are also charged for time spent sitting in traffic, and additional fees are applied for having multiple passengers and sometimes for luggage.

Airport officials said taxi customers often accept the USD 8 fee because they don't realize they are not obligated to take the cab at the front of the line. Customers can also call a taxi that is not on site to avoid the USD 8 surcharge.

The $8 departure fee is meant to compensate cab drivers for the time spent waiting in line for a customer at the airport. The airport also charges taxi drivers USD 1 each time they enter the arrivals area at the airport.

Specific mileage rates have not yet been discussed with the City Council, but it seems clear they intend to change the city ordinance to eliminate the $8 optional departure fee. Councillors noted that the $8 fee and high mileage rates are often the first and last impressions of Tulsa for a visitor who travels by plane. In some instances, it can be cheaper to rent a car than to take a cab to your destination.

First Impressions of Tulsa

Some cab drivers have also reportedly refused to serve customers whose destinations were nearby and therefore not very profitable. Refusing a customer for that reason is prohibited by city ordinance.

Airport officials are expected to recommend a rate for taxis citywide, which would then need to be approved by the City Council. The airport could also set flat rates for trips from the airport to destinations or zones throughout Tulsa. If the airport were to set airport-specific rates, it would need to establish a commission to review those rates annually.

A zone system could also be set up for the entire city.