November 10, 2013 --

For the first time in more than a decade, a shuttle company will soon provide service from Detroit Metropolitan Airport to downtown that hotel and tourism officials say is needed.

The Shuttle Company of America, based in Henderson, Nev., is awaiting license approval from the Michigan Department of Transportation to operate the vehicles . That could take a few weeks.

Greg Bessoni, director of the shuttle company who is helping to establish the Detroit operations, said it will charge $43 round trip to and from the airport with a fleet of up to five vehicles and 12-14 drivers. The shuttle will hold up to 11 passengers, run from 4 a.m. to 10 p.m. and pick up customers in the same location where long-term parking and other shuttles load passengers.

Shuttle Company of America will not have an exclusive contract or a kiosk to solicit service and will have to pay a $10 "departure" fee.

"There's a definite demand and need for the service based upon our conversations with the Detroit Metro Convention and Visitors Bureau and the hotel association," Bessoni said. "They feel that this is going to be a huge success. Their customers are excited about it and want it."

Bessoni said Shuttle Company of America has eyed service in Detroit for about five years, but recent coverage in The Detroit News about the lack of service renewed interest. The company operates a shuttle service in Phoenix and is awaiting approval in Las Vegas, he said.

Hotel and tourism officials have pressured the airport to reintroduce shuttle service. Airport officials have said interest from national and local shuttle companies has waned because it's not profitable.

"We're excited that this form of transportation is going to be offered and we're hoping it's successful," said Michael O'Callaghan, the executive vice president and CEO of the convention and visitors bureau, who cited studies that show visitors to the Detroit region are under 35 years old. "Because traditionally that demographic is willing to get on a shuttle and not be limited to just taxicabs and sedans ."

Airport officials who solicited informal interest at a meeting in August were heavily criticized by shuttle operators who said there were too many restrictions, citing a reluctance to offer an exclusive contract or granting an ability to operate a ticket counter for walk-up customers. Airport officials said they are unsure about the need to put out a formal request for bids if Shuttle of America provides the service without a contract.

The last company to offer shuttle service between downtown and the airport folded in 2001 after years of losing money. Limos and taxis charge passengers between $45 and $60 one way and each one pays an airport departure fee. The airport has a contract with Metro Cars and its affiliated Metro Cabs to transport passengers who walk up to the curb after they arrive.

Thomas Naughton, CEO of the Wayne County Airport Authority, said "there's a need to grow public transportation in this region in general" and the shuttle service, if profitable, can help meet those needs.

lfleming@detroitnews.com
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