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Uber to cease operations at Sky Harbor next month, company says

Posted at 10:52 AM, Dec 22, 2019
and last updated 2019-12-23 00:23:54-05

PHOENIX — Starting next month, Uber drivers will no longer have the option to pick-up or drop-off passengers at Sky Harbor International Airport, according to a statement sent to ABC15 by the popular rideshare company.

The company does not have an official end-date set but confirmed to ABC15 on Sunday that airport operations will end sometime in January.

The decision to end transportation to-and-from the airport comes after the Phoenix City Council approved a fee increase that would raise the amount riders pay to get picked up from the airport and add an entirely new drop-off fee.

Before the measure passed, the airport charged customers $2.66 to pick-up a rideshare car from the airport and no fee for drop-off. Now, that pick-up fee will increase to $4.00 and there will be a brand new $4.00 fee to have a rideshare drop off at Sky Harbor. Starting January 1, 2020, that would mean $5.34 more per round trip.

On Friday, Uber sent the following letter to drivers in the Valley stating their intention to end operations at Sky Harbor:

"We are writing to let you know that Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) recently imposed a new airport rideshare fee of $4 per trip. This fee unfairly penalizes those who rely on ridesharing at PHX by asking them to bear a disproportionate share of costs associated with the Sky Train. On behalf of the drivers and riders who rely on Uber, we cannot accept a partnership that unfairly burdens our shared passengers. As a result, we have made the decision to cease operations at the airport.

What’s changing

Uber ending operations at PHX next month

What this change means for you

This change means you will no longer receive pick up or drop off requests to or from PHX.

We understand that this is a frustrating situation. While a compromise has not been reached at this time, Uber will continue to work with airport officials to reach a fair deal for customers of PHX.

Thank you for your dedication and partnership with us."

Uber released the following statement to ABC15 regarding their decision:

“We are disappointed the Phoenix City Council has chosen to once again hand down a fee increase on the most popular form of transportation at Phoenix Sky Harbor: ridesharing. Our riders and drivers should not be treated as a piggybank to fill the Airport’s budget holes. This fee unfairly penalizes those who rely on ridesharing to get to or from PHX by asking them to bear a disproportionate share of costs associated with the Sky Train. On behalf of the riders and drivers who rely on Uber, we cannot accept a partnership that unfairly burdens our shared passengers. Uber will cease operations at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport next month.”