Saskatoon Airport Bans Largest Taxi Fleet Riide Amid Licensing Dispute

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The ongoing dispute has escalated between a local taxi firm, Riide, and Saskatoon Airport, following a court mandate in August restricting the taxi company from catering to airport clientele. A vital player in the local transportation scene, Riide ranks as the largest fleet in the city. The confrontation has put the company in unease, fearing its customers might be thrown into a whirlwind of confusion.

Riide enjoyed the position as the exclusive taxi service at the Saskatoon Airport until 2020. However, changes were ushered in post-renovation with the introduction of an additional commercial lane dedicated to different taxi companies. The airport concluded an open license model operation, imposing additional charges for drivers, according to Riide.


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Scott Suppes, Riide’s President and CEO, shared his sentiments about the erstwhile harmonious collaborative history with the airport. Suppes stated, “I was under the impression that we were all sailing in the same boat, ensuring the comfort of our customers. Sadly, the narrative seems to have taken an unwelcome twist.” Suppes chose to steer Riide away from the new model, settling to use the public lane for airport drop-offs.

Saskatoon Airport retaliated in a statement saying that post-August 2020, Riide has without hesitation continued its operations unlicensed on the airport premises. This translates into the airport not receiving any remitted fees from the company, thereby compromising the sincerity of the airport’s commercial program that is currently being adhered to and complied with by four other taxi operators.

Legal action from the airport has led to an injunction against Riide, halting pre-planned pickups and drop-offs within the airport vicinity. Suppes conveyed his fears of potential customer confusion, exemplified by the flurry of emails from concerned clients. In his words “We are unable to deny our customers a Riide. However, it spells trouble if we have to tell them that we can’t drop them at the airport. They are aware of this quandary but what qualifies as ‘pre-booked’?”

Suppes, despite expressing his readiness for further discussions with the airport, feels the new directive is inequitable towards the passengers. A frequent flyer and owner of the taxi company, Suppes lamented his inability to avail of his own taxi services at the airport, terming it as a far cry from the norm.

Saskatoon Airport clarified, however, that four other taxi operators, including Captain Taxi, Hey Taxi, Comfort Cabs, and Radio Cabs are permitted to cater to riders along with Uber and public bus service.