'~ Seattle-King County WAT Association
"- ~.:
TO:   Port of Seattle Commissioners
Tom Albro
Bill Bryant
Stephanie Bowman
John Creighton
Courtney Gregoire
Port CEO Ted Fick
Aviation and Ground Transportation Division Staff
DATE: September 7, 2015
RE:    Wheelchair Accessible Taxi Operations at Sea-Tac Airport

The Wheelchair Accessible Taxi Association of Seattle-King County is dismayed that the Ground
Transportation reports and options presented to the Port Commission do not reflect our repeated
requests. WATs have participated in each and every meeting of the Ground Transportation review and
analysis process.
To reiterate:
WATs are the only legally recognized operators licensed and trained to transport wheelchair
passengers.
WAT operators have very precise and extremely high requirements- far above other taxi
operators and vastly superior to anything required of For-Hire-Vehicles or other private
transportation services.
The unique services of WAT vehicles and operators are such that the cost of operating a WAT
are much, much higher than for regular taxicabs
Our request for services at SeaTac Airport
For the purposes of serving ADA customers, WAT operators sha ll not be tied to any dispatch
company, regardless of which Dispatch Company is operating under contract at the Airport.
WAT vehicles MUST have full access to the Airport without fees.
To serve ADA customers effectively, WAT vehicles must attain special WAT stands curbside in
the baggage claim area, rather than expect already-burdened ADA customers to navigate a long
commute to the 3rd Floor Parking Garage.
We seek special signage and wayfinding throughout the Airport for ADA customers.
Under the current taxi contract, WAT operators must pay the same fees to the Airport as regular
taxicabs. In order to improve ADA access for Airport customers, WAT operators pay fees amounting to
$7,956.00 per year.
Further, the Airport must waive the $1.00-per-trip fee accessed on taxicab customers using WAT
vehicles.

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We appreciate the Port of Seattle's commitment to serving all customers, but hope the Port recognizes
the challenges of customers needing improved access. WAT operators provide dignified, responsible and
safe transportation for people using wheelchairs and other mobility devices.
BACKGROUND:
The City of Seattle and King County, in order to provide cost-effective, efficient access to transportation
for people using wheelchairs and other mobility devices, engaged a Demonstration Project 2007-08.
Government agencies involved in the project included the City of Seattle's Consumer Affairs Unit; King
County Records and Licensing; King County Metro Accessible Services; WAT operators; with funding
from WSDOT. Metro initially loaned eight accessible vans.
A regulator structure was implemented following the demonstration project.
WAT operators must have a significantly higher level of experience and increased standards for driver
safety, as well as conduct and compliance, and passenger relations. WAT operators were not allowed to
transfer or sell their WAT license for five years; required to drive at least 30 hours per week for 40
weeks.
The project proved that operating a WAT is significantly higher than operating a taxicab:
50-60% higher initial vehicle cost
Installation cost of wheelchair ramp
Increased mechanical cost for heavier shocks, brakes, etc.
Dramatically increased fuel cost
To assist WAT operators with the increased cost of operations, the annual $1,050.00 license fee was
waived.
More information and the full report, released November 24, 2009 is available at the City of Seattle's
Consumer Affairs Unit, Financial & Administrative Services.

Sincerely,

Cindi Laws
Wheelchair Accessible Taxi Association of Seattle-King County
(206) 790-4232
cindilaws@msn.com






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