Limos, shuttles bemoan Cleveland airport fee plan

CLEVELAND - Limousine owners and shuttle services are criticizing a plan by Cleveland's main airport to charge them $3 for each trip to the property instead of requiring an annual fee.

The Plain Dealer reports Cleveland Hopkins International Airport now charges $500 per vehicle annually and collects about $100,000 a year for the roughly 200 commercial vehicles with permits.

Hopkins chief Ricky Smith says he's looking to raise revenue without increasing charges paid by airlines. The city council would have to approve the plan for the $3 charge.

The chief operating officer for the park-and-ride service Park `N Fly says the plan would cost it $180,000, well above the $5,500 it pays for shuttle permits now. She says the plan could force the company to stop operating in Cleveland.