The Seattle-Tacoma International Taxi Association (STITA) announced a lawsuit against the Port of Seattle on Monday to stop the Port from awarding its airport taxi contract to Yellow Cab (Puget Sound Dispatch).

On Friday, STITA filed a complaint asking the court to halt the Port from signing a contract with Yellow Cab.

"If you think it's difficult to hail a cab in Seattle now, wait to see what will happen if STITA cabs are put out of business," said Jesse Buttar, STITA cab owner. "We're trying to make sure that doesn't happen. We're asking the Port to reconsider and allow us to fairly compete for the airport contract. We're sorry this has come to legal action, but we STITA members are ready to fight against what we feel was an unfair process by the Port of Seattle."

In 1989, STITA - a non-profit co-op - was created by the Port to exclusively serve the airport and provide service to airport users..

"People tell us to go work for Yellow, but we can't," said Kanwarjit Bassi, who followed in his father's footsteps and drives a STITA cab.

"We don't have Seattle for-hire licenses and it's nearly impossible to get one. We were prevented from expanding service outside of the airport by the Port and now it's telling us to go away. But, there's nowhere to go."

In its lawsuit, STITA contends the Port's bidding process violated the state Airports Act because the Port discontinued its prior practice of charging fees to taxicabs based on the airport's actual cost of services provided to the cabbies.

STITA contends the Port's bidding process caused a predatory bidding war among taxi companies, which not only was illegal but will be financially devastating to the King County taxi industry.

STITA's lawsuit also contends that the Port's new concession fee violates the King County Code, which requires the King County Council to set the taxi meter rate at a level that is "just and reasonable."

"I've driven a cab for 35 years - mostly seven days a week," said Patty Stephens. "It wasn't an easy living, but at the end of the day I barely made enough to feed my family. And I could take care of sick children or go to their soccer games without getting fired. It's the only life we know; my daughter and son both drive a cab too. We're all out of jobs if STITA loses this contract."

STITA's complaint will go before a King County judge on Thursday.