ORIGINAL BIKECAB COMPANY TO PROVIDE PEDICAB SERVICE AT ONTARIO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
(Ontario, California - March 19, 2002) The Los Angeles Board of Airport Commissioners today approved an exclusive three-year permit agreement with San Diego-based Original Bikecab Company, Inc. to provide pedicab service at Ontario International Airport (ONT).
Under the term of the agreement, Original Bikecab Company will operate and manage pedicab service at ONT at no cost to the airport or to the traveling public. However, pedicab drivers will be allowed to accept unsolicited tips.
"Original Bikecab Company will be independently responsible for obtaining the financial resources necessary to run the pedicab service at ONT," said Selwyn Hollins, ONT’s landside operations manager. "The company may receive financial assistance from sponsors, through commercial advertising on the pedicabs, renting the pedicabs to drivers, and other revenue-generating means."
A pedicab, also referred to as a rickshaw or bicycle cab, is a human-powered bicycle with a bench seat attached to the back to carry passengers and their luggage. The pedicabs at ONT will transport travelers and airport visitors to and from certain areas of the parking lot and the terminals.
"ONT provided the service on a trial basis in December 2000 in response to comments from airline managers and travelers regarding the long distances between the terminals and some parts of the parking lots," said Hollins. "Since public response to the pedicab service has been overwhelmingly positive, we decided to establish the service on a more long-term basis."
ONT is located 35 miles east of Los Angeles in the Inland Empire region covering San Bernardino and Riverside Counties. The airport is owned and operated by Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA), a Los Angeles city department which also owns and operates Los Angeles International (LAX), Palmdale (PMD) and Van Nuys (VNY) Airports. ONT handles 6.7 million passengers and over 460,000 tons of cargo annually.
MTF:3/19/02