UPDATED: T.F. Green Blasts Uber for Leaving Airport
GoLocalProv News Team
UPDATED: T.F. Green Blasts Uber for Leaving Airport
The following statement was released by RIAC on Friday afternoon.
RIAC Statement
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST"We have been informed by Uber that they intend to move their operations off airport property effective May 1st. This decision is theirs, and theirs alone. We are disappointed they have decided to inconvenience our passengers.
For the past several months, they have employed heavy-handed negotiating tactics in an attempt to pressure the Rhode Island Airport Corporation to lower fees. This is a tactic they are employing at every major airport in the country - we will not be bullied by Uber.
We are mandated by federal law to be self-sustaining and must generate revenue to support the operations of the airport. Because of the popularity of transportation network companies, we have incurred losses of revenue in other traditional revenue generating areas like long-term parking and rental cars.
Again, the decision to move was made by Uber. We understand how popular this transportation mode was with our passengers – and we rarely heard a complaint from travelers regarding the fees associated with this service. If passengers feel inconvenienced by this development we would encourage them to contact Uber.
Uber will always be welcomed at T.F. Green Airport if they decide to change their mind because they are inconveniencing both their drivers and passengers. They can come back at any time.
We appreciate our ongoing relationship with Lyft and passengers still have the option of utilizing that transportation mode."
Uber sent the following statement to their drivers:
We are disappointed to announce that, effective May 1, you will no longer receive Uber pickup requests at T.F. Green Airport (PVD). Here’s why:
T.F. Green doubled its already-high airport pickup fee, making it the most expensive airport pickup fee in the US. We have been working hard to come to an agreement with the airport on a fair fee for drivers and riders. Unfortunately, this has been unsuccessful.
You can continue to drop off riders at the airport as usual. We’ll send you updates as this situation develops, and as always, thank you for your partnership with us.
Uber vs. Taxi Experiences in Providence
1. Ordering
Taxis: GoLocal's reporters had two different experiences ordering. One reporter called Action Taxi LLP and was told five minutes, the other had to call two separate companies -- Providence Taxi LLP said they "had no rides" available, High-Class Taxi said ten to fifteen minutes for a pick up.
Uber: One reporter was a "first time" Uber user, although had previously opened an account months earlier, so had to spend five minutes updating credit card information before an order could be placed. The other reporter, a seasoned Uber user, took less than 30 seconds to order and was told two minutes.
Edge: Uber
2. Pick-Up
Uber: One reporter had some major issues with getting Uber to come to PC -- the car was visible on the app driving near the location requested, but not approaching the main drive -- it look several calls to the driver to get picked up. The other reporter's Uber car arrived in 2 minutes from time of order. Both cars were unmarked but described on the app prior to arrival.
Taxis: Despite saying five minutes, Action Taxi took 12 minutes from time of call to arrive, and showed up well marked. High-Class arrived for pick-up nearly twenty minutes from the time of call.
Edge: Uber
3. Cleanliness
Taxis: One reporter found Action Taxi to be impeccably clean, the other saw a lotion bottle on the floor in the the front by the driver in the High-Class taxi, but otherwise was clean.
Uber: Both reporters found the Uber cars to not be at the level of the taxis. One Uber car, while clean, had a towel over the backseat, and despite air-fresheners, smelled of smoke. The other was a clean car, but according to the reporter, a little "beat up" -- the seats were slightly torn.
Edge: Taxis
4. Driving
Uber: One reporter found coming back from PC, the Uber driver was slightly unsure of turns to take, and highly dependent on the GPS, constantly fiddling with the screen. For the other reporter, the Uber driver had to back up at a red light for being too far over the line.
Taxis: Both reporters found their taxi drivers to obey speed limits and traffic signals, and felt safe.
Edge: Taxis
5. Cost
Taxis: One reporter had their ride cost $13 (with a meter -- $15 with tip) with High Class Taxi; the other paid $10 with Action Taxi, which didn't have its meter on, and didn't take credit cards.
Uber: Both reporters paid essentially the same price -- $8 and change -- for their Uber rides from downtown to PC, and vice-versa.
Edge: Uber
6. Service
Uber: Despite the one reporter's late pick-up experience at PC, the Uber driver was friendly and accessible. For the other reporter, their driver did not talk much, and was not receptive to questions, due to a language barrier.
Taxis: The fact that the Action Taxi had no working meter was disconcerting; the driver spoke very little English but was pleasant. The reporter said their High Class taxi driver was engaging and professional.
Edge: Draw
7. Experience
Taxis: Overall the Action Taxi reporter found the experience to be average, but had serious concerns with the meter issue; the other reporter had an "overall good" experience with High Class.
Uber: One reporter found their first experience to be Uber to be slightly rocky with ordering and arrival issues, but would give it another shot; the other found the lack of conversation and driving skills in their Uber driver -- who couldn't find Harkins Hall at PC -- to be major flags.
Edge: Draw
