Phone Card Machines Likely to Remain at Miami Int. Airport

The prepaid phone card machines at Miami International Airport are most likely there to stay, despite those that oppose their placement at the airport. The county Regional Transportation Committee approved a plan on Thursday to keep the current three vendors at the airport for three more years. Katy Sorensen, Commissioner of the Committee urged her colleagues to cut the vending machines and sell the phone cards in stores instead, but her motion was denied. International Phone Cards from 0.8¢ per Minute Almost 80 percent of the written complaints the airport receives are about the phone card vending machines—mostly stating that the machines took a customer’s money. The cards also give consumers far fewer minutes than cards bought outside the airport.. ''They clutter the place,'' Sorensen said. ``And when I bought one, I felt ripped off.'' Aviation director Jose Abreu wanted the machines out of the airport, but the commissioners wanted to keep the revenue, which runs about $750,000 a year. So Abreu's staff crafted a compromise with the three current vendors. Under the new plan, Latin American Enterprises will have 20 machines, and a joint venture between Communitel and WTN will have another 20 machines. The firms have done business at the airport for 10 years under ''test permits'' which were intended to last only a few months. All three firms have been represented by long-time Miami International lobbyists, and they have fought vigorously to stay. Today there are about 75 machines at Miami International Airport, with as many as three in the same location. Abreu said the contract, which is expected to be approved by the full County Commission in January, would have safeguards in place to improve customer service. The companies will be required to install newer machines to reduce the number of complaints. The machines will also be required to have a paper record of each transaction so airport staff can audit all sales. There is no requirement that the firms lower their prices. A card bought at Miami International Airport this week only gave a consumer 10 minutes for $5. A $5 card bought outside was worth up to three hours. ''We don't want people to be upset,'' explained Commissioner Dennis Moss, who supported keeping the machines. ``But I think we can move forward.'' By Patricia Fuller Line.US Lowest Price on All Calling Cards - International Calling Cards

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