PORTLAND – Facing a taxi lottery system they oppose, airport cab drivers have suggested an alternative that they say will meet the city’s goal of reducing the number of cabs at the Portland International Jetport while opening up the market to more drivers.

The cab drivers suggest two options: instituting shifts with only 40 cabs in each shift; or allowing attrition to work its course. If attrition doesn’t work, they suggest any lottery system should be limited to those cabs already permitted to do business at the airport.

The proposal will be heard Wednesday by the City Council’s Transportation Committee, which meets at 5:30 p.m. in council chambers.

Also on the agenda are proposals to reroute Route 77 — a critical step toward making High and State streets two-way — and to establish an advisory committee to study traffic patterns and streetscapes in Libbytown — an effort that could lead to different traffic patterns and the removal of exits from Interstate 295.

The airport cab drivers’ proposal is in response to the city’s efforts to reduce the number of cabs allowed to wait for passengers without being called to the airport. In 2010, the council capped the number of permits at 40, but exempted the 51 existing permit holders with the expectation that the number would drop through attrition. But the number has dropped by only two.

City officials believe the permits are being transferred through power of attorney — possibly for a fee — to other drivers.

Jetport Director Paul Bradbury has proposed a lottery system that would eventually be open to all registered cabs. Under his plan, an initial 40-permit drawing would take place in March 2013 and would only be open to existing permit holders. Ten permits would last a year, 10 for two years, 10 for three years and 10 for four years.

After that, all cab city drivers would be able to enter the lottery for a four-year permit that would have to be renewed annually.

Attorney Sigmund Schutz, who is representing the airport cab drivers, said the proposed lottery system would cost the drivers their jobs. All of the drivers are immigrants and are not able to compete citywide with other cab companies that have websites and dispatchers, he said.

One of the alternative proposals from drivers includes switching to a shift system. Each permit would be good for five or six days, or each day could be divided into two shifts — one morning and one evening.

A shift system would allow the city to limit the number of cabs at any one time, while allowing more cabs to work at the airport, Schutz said.

The drivers also recommend setting specific benchmarks for attrition. Schutz said four of the current permit holders have indicated they will not renew their permits this year. If attrition does not happen fast enough, an internal lottery could be held among the existing permit holders.

“Our two alternatives meet all of the goals,” Schutz said. “Reducing the number of cars, giving opportunities to other drivers, preserving jobs and quality service.”

City Councilor David Marshall, who leads the committee, said Tuesday he has not seen the alternative proposals yet.

HIGH AND STATE STREETS

The committee will also review a proposal to reroute Route 77 — a step toward converting High and State streets from one-way streets to two-way streets.

Currently, Route 77 connects Interstate 295 to Cape Elizabeth and South Portland along High and State streets. The city is proposing to change that route to the Fore River Parkway to West Commercial Street to the Casco Bay Bridge in an effort to reduce traffic.

The city would need permission from the Maine Department of Transportation to reroute the road.

Marshall said staff is working on an analysis of engineering upgrades needed on High and State streets to accommodate two-way traffic, which officials hope will make the streets safer.

LIBBYTOWN

The committee will also consider forming an advisory group to study traffic and street improvements in Libbytown, located just west of Interstate 295.

Marshall said the study will look at converting the one-way portions of Park Avenue and Congress Street into two-way roads, making them less of a through way and more of a city street.

The group would also look at redundant exits off I-295, particularly those created by the new Fore River Parkway, he said.

“They’re look at redundant highway exits to see if there’s opportunity for removing the redundancies,” he said. “That way we can open up some area for development.”

The study has received $100,000 in funding from the Portland Area Transportation System, a regional planning group. The study would be completed by June 30, 2013.

Staff Writer Randy Billings can be contacted at 791-6346 or at:

rbillings@mainetoday.com

Twitter: @randybillings