Flesland Taxi Strike Off: Taxi Services Resumed
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Travelers arriving at or departing from Bergen Airport Flesland should be aware of notable changes to the taxi service implemented in late November. These adjustments, overseen by Avinor, the state-owned company operating moast Norwegian airports, aim to streamline taxi access and improve passenger experience, but have already sparked some disruption.
Mandatory Fast Travel System and Ordering Process
As of late November, all taxi pickups at Flesland Airport now require drivers to have an agreement with Fast Travel, a third-party company managing the dispatch system.Passengers can no longer simply hail a taxi at the terminal entrances. Instead, all taxi journeys must be ordered either through the Fast Travel app or via dedicated ordering machines located within the airport.
The ordering system presents passengers with a range of taxi options, clearly ranked by price, allowing for informed choices based on budget and preference. This system is designed to increase clarity and efficiency in the taxi selection process.
Changes to Taxi Waiting Areas
The new protocols also impact where taxis can wait for passengers. Drivers are no longer permitted to station themselves at the airport’s entrances or exits. They must now wait in designated parking areas further from the terminal and only proceed to the pickup zone when a ride has been ordered through the Fast travel system.
On Tuesday, December 10, 2024, a security guard was stationed at the entrance to the P1 parking area to enforce Avinor’s prohibition of taxi access to that zone. P1 had previously served as a convenient,unofficial pickup point,notably for bergen Taxi,a local operator that has not yet joined the Fast Travel system.
Impact on Bergen Taxi and Ongoing adjustments
the exclusion of Bergen Taxi from the Fast Travel system and the subsequent blocking of access to P1 have created a point of contention. While Avinor aims for a unified and regulated taxi service, the situation highlights the challenges of integrating all local operators into a new system. Passengers relying on Bergen Taxi may need to adjust their pickup arrangements or explore choice transportation options.
These changes are expected to continue evolving as avinor and fast Travel work to optimize the system and address concerns from both taxi operators and passengers. Travelers are advised to allow extra time for taxi arrangements and to familiarize themselves with the new ordering procedures before their visit to Bergen Airport Flesland.