The owners of the SuperShuttle see their van service at BWI airport as the "newest and most unique of transportation systems," but airport taxi drivers look at the blue and gold vans and see more competition.
"I'm worried about whether I can meet my expenses," said LeWilliams, who drives a cab for Airport Taxi. "I have a lot invested, and I'm not sure I can get my just due."
The vans with "SuperShuttle" emblazoned on their sides are moving billboards. Like taxis, they provide door-to-door service to the people who use Baltimore-Washington International Airport. The service started Jan. 1.
SuperShuttle's service is limited but is cheaper than taxis. A one-way trip to Annapolis costs less than half what a taxi would, $14 compared with $33. A limousine charges $40.
Donna Buden, 54, likes the price and the convenience. "It's here within an hour after I land," she said.
The vans hold eight to 13 people and average three stops per trip.
Mark Joseph, president and chief executive officer of Yellow Transportation, which owns SuperShuttle, said the new service won't threaten other transportation systems at the airport. Yellow Transportation also owns taxis, limousines and buses, but only SuperShuttle is based at the airport.
"Our primary competition is not taxicabs," he said. "We own taxicabs. If a person can afford to pay $40, they'll take a taxi."
John Cinicola, president of Cinicola Co., owner of Private Car of Baltimore, said he isn't worried about SuperShuttle's arrival at the airport because the companies have different markets.
"We target corporate America," Mr. Cinicola said. "I don't believe corporate America will use a shuttle service."
SuperShuttle offers door-to-door service in Prince George's and Montgomery counties and stops at hotels in Baltimore, Baltimore County and Annapolis. It also makes one stop in downtown Washington, where it has most of its market, said general manager Steve Fletcher.
Mr. Joseph hopes the new service attracts customers from the Maryland suburbs who might otherwise use Dulles International Airport in Virginia and Washington's National Airport.
Although new in this area, SuperShuttle has been popular at airports in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Dallas and Phoenix for more than a decade.
Jerry Moore takes the shuttle in Dallas, where he lives, and recently took it from BWI to a convention in Annapolis.
"It's convenient for me," he said. "A lot of time I take it straight from the office. It's cheaper than a cab and more convenient than driving and parking."
Yellow Transportation bought a SuperShuttle franchise last year to replace Shuttle Express, a similar service at BWI. Shuttle Express, also a van service, did not offer door-to-door service.
Mr. Fletcher said SuperShuttle's prices and shared-ride concept attract customers.
"I like the shuttle because more people ride it and it's more convenient," said Tavia Rouse, 18, a student at Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville, Ill. "Sometimes in a taxi, one-on-one contact makes me nervous."
SuperShuttle has averaged 600 customers a day since it opened, and ridership is increasing. But that doesn't bother Allen Robinson of Airport Taxi.
"I'm going out for more business," Mr. Robinson said. "The airport is growing, and once the international terminal opens there should be enough [business] for everybody."