JWA rate hikes OKd

Lolita Harper

JOHN WAYNE AIRPORT -- Six months after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks,

local officials are still making changes to adjust to the aftermath,

including moderate rate hikes at John Wayne Airport.

The County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved modest rate

changes for John Wayne Airport on Tuesday morning, saying added security

measures since the attacks have drained resources from the transportation

hub.

Some of the hikes include an increase in public parking from $11 to

$17 per day -- a 55% increase -- at terminal parking lots and $7 to $12

-- a 71% increase -- per day at off-campus locations. Rates of $1 per

hour would remain at all lots. Parking permits would also cost more,

going from $35 to $50 per month.

Supervisor Todd Spitzer said the rate increase was necessary to ensure

proper security in light of the terrorist attacks.

“Security doesn’t come without a price,” Spitzer said. “It is our

responsibility to act on this without any hesitation.”

Airport officials estimated a loss of about $4.5 million due to the

attacks on Sept. 11. Officials expect the increases, which will take

affect April 1, to reduce that loss to only $2.9 million.

Alan Murphy, the airport’s director, previously said the fee hikes are

necessary to keep the airport running safely while remaining financially

healthy. In addition to parking fees, there will be new rates at county

hangar space as well as for ground transportation.

While there is no doubt formulas and studies prompted the decision,

some travelers on Tuesday still questioned their action.

Alaska Airlines passenger Tina Rolewicz said her previous experience

with long-term parking at the airport encouraged her to get a ride from a

friend.

“It’s always crowded and it’s a pain,” she said about parking at the

airport.

Rolewicz, of Mission Viejo, said it took her an hour to find parking

and when she did she was in a remote corner of the lot, forcing her to

haul her bags all the way to the terminal. To add insult to injury, the

inconvenience cost her $77 for a week.

“I could understand raising the rates if the parking were convenient,

but this is ridiculous,” Rolewicz said.

Rolewicz said she sees no advantage for local travelers to use

long-term parking. Those that still do may actually be encouraged to use

other means of transportation now that it will cost $6 more per day to

park.

American Airlines skycap Fred Thomas agreed.

Most people already use shuttle services or take taxis because they

are more convenient. Travelers not only get to forget about traffic and

crowded parking but they get curbside service and help with baggage, he

said.

“If you live locally, a shuttle service is only going to cost about

$12 or $15,” Thomas said. “Why would you pay more than that each day and

have to drag your own bags all the way to the terminal?”

Airport Spokeswoman Ann McCarley said airport officials took those

concerns into consideration before recommending the rate hikes to the

Board of Supervisors.

“It’s just speculation but we still think that people will come and

park here,” McCarley said.

Compared to other Southern California airports, John Wayne Airport

still offers very competitive rates. Los Angeles International Airport

charges $24 per day for terminal parking; Burbank $30 and Ontario $21.

* Lolita Harper covers Costa Mesa. She may be reached at (949)

574-4275 or by e-mail at o7 [email protected] .