Taxis on base: AAFES contracts new cab service to better serve military customers

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Angelique Smythe
  • The Pacific Edge
ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam --  The Army and Air Force Exchange Service has contracted taxis that will now be allowed to provide service on the installation.

"We decided to offer taxi service for the convenience of our military customers," said Elaine Sablan, AAFES services business manager. "We always look for different ways to provide service and this is one thing we have been working on for quite some time."

Before Sept. 11, 2001, taxi drivers would be sponsored onto the installation by a military customer. But after that date, taxi services were not allowed on base due to additional force protection measures.

"We went through a lot of approvals and a lot of coordination," said Ms. Sablan. "The taxi service had to go through our contracting office to be sure they would be able to do business on base. Now that they are contracted with AAFES, we have one primary source that will provide the service. With the proper pass and ID, they will be able to enter the base."

Not just any taxi driver will be allowed through the gate. The cab itself will say AAFES Taxi Service. (There are 60 taxis in the fleet.) Before entering the installation, both the taxi driver and passengers must show their identification cards.

According to Ms. Sablan, the taxis may pick up and drop off custormers anywhere on base.

The dispatch number is 888-7143 and service is available 24/7. From 5 p.m. to midnight Fridays and 9 a.m. to midnight Saturdays the taxis will park on base outside of the base exchange.

"Once they are dispatched, it will take no more than 10 to 15 minutes for them to get to Andersen," said Ms. Sablan.

However, if dispatched to off-base locations, the response time could be longer.

There is a flat rate of $2.40 for stopping the cab driver. The first mile is $4 and every quarter mile is $.80.

"We're hoping this will be a convenience for our military customers. Now they can actually take a ride all the way to their destination and not be stopped at the gate," said Ms. Sablan.