To my knowledge there is no airport in the world where a toll booth has been placed in the arrival and departure loading areas. Not only does such a scheme create traffic congestion around the sole entrance and exit to the terminal, but placing the booth at this location could conceivably cause serious safety hazard in the event of an emergency. I am quite certain CPA and federal authorities would not entertain the idea of placing a similar booth at the loading and unloading areas of the Saipan International Airport.
Moreover, this comes at a time when roundtrip airfare between Rota and Saipan has increased to $219. While domestic travel in the CNMI has become more expensive, and inconvenient, CPA now looks to impose an additional cost on domestic travelers. I am cognizant that these are tough times for all of us in the CNMI, but we should not further burden our residents with this additional difficulty.
Previous CPA management spent a considerable sum of money on the parking meters at the Saipan domestic terminal. Although I understand these meters are in need of repair, it seems that getting these meters in working condition would be much more cost effective in the long run than manning a toll booth operation. As was mentioned in a recent meeting, the toll booth at the Saipan International Airport is losing money. What makes CPA believe a booth at the domestic terminal would be any different? Repairing the existing meters having CPA officers regularly inspect for compliance would seem to be much more practical.
Let us not compound this problem by proceeding forward with a plan that we know will be a loss for CPA. Instead, let us move forward with more sensible plans that will help CPA’s financial position without placing an undue burden on domestic travelers in the CNMI.
I look forward to working with CPA in the future to identify ways to improve its financial condition.
SEN. PAUL A. MANGLONA
16th CNMI Legislature
