Editorial: Praise for cell phone lot

It's not too often that taxpayers describe government's actions as "fabulous." Especially at Philadelphia International Airport.

But the new cell-phone lot that opened at the airport more than a month ago is getting well-deserved praise from customers. The 150-space lot is convenient, easy to find, and free.

Previously, motorists parked illegally on the shoulder of I-95 or Route 291 while waiting to pick up arriving passengers. Or they tried to find the old waiting lot on Bartram Avenue through a maze of confusing signs.

The new, safe lot is being used heavily, and state police are issuing fewer tickets to drivers parked along the highways.

Airport CEO Mark Gale said another improvement will come next month, when electronic flight-information display boards are scheduled to be installed at the lot. The signs will tell drivers the status of arriving flights.

Also, overhead signs on I-95 will be changed to direct drivers to the new cell-phone lot.

This simple change is making the Philly airport a more customer-friendly place. The Nutter administration, airport officials, PennDot, and other agencies involved in this effort deserve credit and thanks from the public for responding to the need.