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SALT LAKE CITY -- The electric carts that would help haul people through the Salt Lake International Airport hallways are now a thing of the past.
In their place, the airlines have brought in new airport-friendly wheelchairs to assist people.
Giles Clark is one of the travelers who usually takes the cart to get to his gate, but says the new wheelchairs aren't bad either, as long as he can get to his flight quickly.
They were causing damage to walls of the elevators. We are spending a lot of money making those repairs.
–Barbara Gann
"It's easy to get into and there's a place for luggage," says Clark. "That's great."
Airport spokeswoman Barbara Gann says the airlines contracted with a company to run the carts. That same company is now in charge in making sure there are plenty of wheelchairs and attendants to push them.
As for the old electric carts, Gann says they were causing more problems than they were solving.
"They were causing damage to walls of the elevators. We are spending a lot of money making those repairs," says Gann. "When they are operating in a crowded concourse, the danger was evident, and they were clogging things more than they were helping things. We are finding that a lot of people used them that don't require them. They were being used more for convenience than for necessity."
Gann says there have also been cases of the carts hitting people and causing injury.
Gann says the airport wants patrons to know help is available if someone needs assistance getting around.
She says anyone can ask an airline or airport worker for a wheelchair. People can also call ahead to have a wheelchair waiting for them.
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E-mail: rjeppesen@ksl.com
