Ground Transportation Operators are invited to attend an upcoming Rapid City Regional Airport Ground Transportation Open House. This session is intended for all current ground transportation operators, as well as anyone interested in providing service at the airport.
Ground Transportation Open House
Date: Thursday, June 5
Time: 1:30 PM to 3:30 PM
Location: City Hall, Circle of Friends Community Room
300 6th Street, Rapid City, SD
Why this matters:
Rapid City Regional Airport has expanded its Ground Transportation Program and adopted new Rules and Regulations. This open house will provide an overview of
those changes, outline compliance requirements, and offer a chance to ask questions directly to airport staff.
What you will learn:
The Rapid City Regional Airport Ground Transportation Program is designed to ensure the safe, efficient, and orderly movement of passengers and vehicles and maintain a high standard of customer service. All commercial ground transportation providers, including taxi, limousine, shuttle, and rideshare services—must comply with airport program rules to operate on airport property.
Passenger Benefit: An airport ground transportation program can significantly impact airport operations. One of the primary benefits is improving the passenger experience. A well-planned program can reduce wait times, alleviate traffic congestion, and enhance overall accessibility, resulting in a more enjoyable travel experience for passengers.
Fiscal Self-Sustainability: To receive Federal funding, airports must make an effort to demonstrate their ability to generate revenue and cover operating costs. Equitable fees allow the airport to recover a portion of costs for providing, operating, and maintaining facilities benefitting Ground Transportation companies.
Security: A program can promote safety and security by ensuring that only authorized ground transportation operators are allowed to conduct
business on airport property. This can reduce the risk of accidents and help to maintain a secure environment for passengers and airport personnel.
Increased Capacity: As Rapid City Regional Airport grows consistently in passenger enplanements, smaller regional jets are replaced with larger planes with passenger capacities of over 180 passengers. When a large number of guests are utilizing the curb simultaneously, there may be potential for congestion.
Review The Program Rules
Rapid City Regional Airport (RAP) has established ground transportation operating procedures for all Commercial Ground Transportation Operators (GTO) operating at the Airport. These operating procedures are to ensure the most fair and consistent ground transportation service. They will provide the public with safe and convenient passenger movement. Anyone providing ground transportation services shall comply with these rules and regulations.
It is imperative that all GTO abide by the terms of the Airport Operator Agreement and all Airport Rules and Regulations. All GTO are subject to on site supervision and direction by any personnel designated by the Airport Executive Director (AED). Any person who violates any RAP rules and regulations will, at the discretion of the AED or his/her Designee, be denied use of the Airport and its facilities.
Apply for an Operator Permit
Any person or entity proposing to provide Commercial Ground Transportation services at RAP must obtain an Operator Permit from RAP prior to providing any ground transportation service to the public at the Airport. Issuance of a permit shall convey the right and privilege of operating a ground transportation service at the Airport, and the use of certain Airport premises associated with such services. Operator Permits are non-transferrable.
Annual Permit: $200 due at time of application and each January 1 thereafter.
One-time Operator Permit: $60.00 per day
Sturgis Rally Operator Shuttle Permit: $500 (valid July 25 - August 25, 2025)
Required documents include: Business Licenses, Certificates of Insurance, and Vehicle Information.
Approval Process
After the permit has been completed, a contract will be sent for signature.
The contract and operator permit will be reviewed by the Airport Board of Directors. Board meetings are held the second Tuesday of each month at 9:00 AM.
Decal and Marketing Benefits
A decal will be distributed to each vehicle and must be displayed in the front passenger window.
Send your logo and web address and preferred phone number to airport administration. Your information will be added to our website and transportation information boards.
Report Monthly Activity
Fees shall be paid for each trip operated to/from Rapid City Regional Airport. This includes all areas of the airport, not just the terminal. Monthly activity reports and fees shall be submitted and paid on or before the 10th day of the month following the month passengers were picked up.
Vehicles seating 1-15 passengers = $2 per trip
Vehicles seating 16+ passengers = $20 per trip
Ground Transportation Providers are required to operate at specific curb access points. View the Ground Transportation Island Exhibit.
Operator Permits will be reviewed by the Airport Board of Directors. Agendas are posted at RCgov.org
A current list of authorized Ground Transportation Providers is located at https://rapairport.com/transportation
Taxis and TNC's must also be licensed with the City of Rapid City
Ground Transportation questions may be directed to airportgt@rcgov.org
Insurance Requirements
Operator shall, at its expense, maintain insurance in full force and effect during the term of this Agreement in such amounts as to meet the minimum limits of liability specified below, and insurance shall be placed with companies or underwriters authorized to do business in the State of South Dakota and carry a Best’s rating no lower than A-. Failure to obtain and maintain such insurance shall constitute a default under this Agreement. The insurance policy(ies)
shall be standard commercial general liability covering all operations of Operator at the Airport and shall include, but not be limited to, general commercial liability; automobile including owned, non-owned, leased and hired; contractual coverage, including the indemnification obligations of this
Agreement; and independent contractors’ coverage. The Board, its elected officials, appointed officials, agents and employees, shall be included as additional insureds with respect to Operator’s use of the Airport. Operator shall, promptly after execution of this Agreement, furnish to the Board appropriate certificates of insurance evidencing coverage effected and to be maintained for the term of this Agreement.
The following are minimum limits of occurrence-based insurance coverage:
Worker's Compensation Employer's Liability: Statutory $500,000/ $500,000/ $500,000
Comprehensive General Liability (Including Contractual Liability And Completed Operations): Bodily Injury and Property Damage $1,000,000 each occurrence and General Aggregate $2,000,000
Commercial Automobile Liability $1,000,000 combined single limit