Drivers for the ride-sharing services Uber and Lyft are welcome back to the Traverse City airport. For the last month, the companies have been banned.
Starting in June, drivers say they were harassed at the curb by airport security and threatened with trespassing charges. Some drivers stopped serving the airport while others asked passengers to meet them at Costco down the road.
Airport Director Kevin Klein says the companies were banned because they were not following the rules. But as of last week, both companies are in compliance.
“We’re very excited about it,” say Klein. “For the rest of the summer, the opportunities for them to service the airport will be great. A lot of our travelers from our larger cities are very used to those types of services.”
Klein says Uber and Lyft paid a $2,500 fee to be able to serve the airport. They also had to prove their drivers are insured.
“Really, the most important thing is we want to ensure, for the safety of our passengers, that the insurance requirements are there; that those passengers are protected in case of … and accident or any other incident that might happen,” says Klein.
He says both companies have now received their permits to operate at the airport.