06:38 PM CDT on Monday, May 8, 2006

By Doug Miller / 11 News

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Gas prices are approaching historic highs, but a ride to Houston's airports may soon get cheaper.

KHOU

Some cabbies sit for hours outside the airports waiting for fares.

Houston's city council is scheduled to vote this week on a plan that would let you share a ride to the airport aboard a multi-passenger van. The price would vary depending on your ZIP code.

Parking at the airport can be expensive so many people take taxis, but they're not exactly a cheap alternative.

"With the tip, we paid $60," said Sirhan Secman as his taxi dropped him off at the airport. "A lot of money, yeah."

But soon, getting a ride to Houston's airports could get a lot cheaper.

If city council gives its approval, shuttle buses will soon begin picking up passengers at the city's airports and taking them directly to their homes or offices. And it should cost about half the price of a cab ride.

Shuttle buses already carry passengers to fixed stops like hotels and parking lots. But officials say Houston's the last major American city without door to door shuttles.

"A passenger can call this service and they'll come pick them up at home and deliver them to the airport," explained Rich Fernandez with the Houston Aviation Department. "They will also pick up other people on the route."

Cab companies have fought the idea for many years. And a lot of taxi drivers -- who spend hours sitting in an airport lot waiting for fares -- still think shuttles could drive them out of business.

"Everybody come in here stay eight hours every day. Make two trip or three trip," said Osama Rizk, a cabbie.

Reporter: "And what would happen if the shuttle started?"

Rizk: "Maybe one trip. Maybe stay here sixteen hours to make one trip."

If the plan wins approval, it's expected to be in place in two or three months.