Super Shuttle blames computer problems for service outage at airports

SAN FRANCISCO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, Calif. (KGO) -- Some air travelers hit a bump in the road this weekend when they found out Super Shuttle was not in service at any of the Bay Area's three airports.

"There are no vans right now," said a San Francisco International Airport worker.

That's the news Washington state resident Alice Fiman got about her ride minutes after landing at SFO from Seattle. And she had just received a confirmation text from Super Shuttle just moments before.

"It says, 'Welcome to SFO, proceed to upper level outside to middle curb,'" she said.

But after calling Super Shuttle, Fiman said she was a little frustrated.

"They said they would give me a refund and there was no other explanation after that," she said. "And they just told me I would need to find another way of transportation."

According to Super Shuttle's call center, a computer outage wiped out all reservations servicing SFO, Oakland, and Mineta San Jose International.

It happened overnight and no one knows when it will be fixed.

But one driver, who does not work for Super Shuttle, had a different explanation.

"The drivers got together and decided to have a sick out or a strike and from what I understand it will be for two days," said San Francisco shuttle driver Benny Videz.

Videz has friends who work for Super Shuttle. He says they're frustrated by a new rate increase all contract drivers have to pay. But he admits, with Super Shuttle temporarily out of the way, independents like him are moving in.

"Today is going to be a good day for most of the drivers," he said. "I've heard some drivers, they're happy with what they have."

The ones not happy and downright angry are the weary travelers.

"To think I have to wait another 30 to 60 minutes to get to my location!" said one upset traveler.

"It's inconvenient," traveler Alex Mihlin said.

Michigan resident James Clift added, "You don't want to wait. I think the company needs to step up or people will go elsewhere."

ABC7 News did see two Super Shuttle drivers working. But neither would comment.