Via the TU: JIA deal spotlights taxi company president's legal woes

[urbanlibertarian]

http://jacksonville.com/news/metro/2011-08-29/story/jia-deal-spotlights-taxi-company-presidents-legal-woes

By Matt Dixon

An airport committee has given initial approval to award a roughly $2 million annual contract to a taxicab company whose president has a long line of legal woes. The contract would once again give Gator City Taxi exclusive rights to pick up airline passengers.

The company has been given preference by a Jacksonville International Airport awards committee, a decision the only other eligible company is appealing. If confirmed by the committee this week and approved by the airport director, it would be Gator City's second consecutive five-year exclusive deal.

Read more at Jacksonville.com: http://jacksonville.com/news/metro/2011-08-29/story/jia-deal-spotlights-taxi-company-presidents-legal-woes#ixzz1WQ6yJP7u

Can anyone explain to me why it's a good idea for the JAA to create a taxi monopoly at JIA?  I understand that they want that 2 million dollars for the exclusive rights but why shouldn't taxi passengers be able to enjoy the benefits of open competition?

[tufsu1]

most airports regulate the taxis (but often to more than one provider)....it eliminates crowding of the taxis by the arrival gate area and arguments in the back lot waiting area

[urbanlibertarian]

most airports regulate the taxis (but often to more than one provider)....it eliminates crowding of the taxis by the arrival gate area and arguments in the back lot waiting area

It also eliminates price and quality competition and invites corruption.  Couldn't they just organize how and where the taxis line up, let them display pricing and prohibit hawking?