OIA approves $5.80 fee for ride-sharing companies ahead of lift on ban

Uber and Lyft are about to flip the switch and allow users to book rides after stepping off a plane at Orlando International Airport without certain restrictions, but problems between the airport and the ride companies are delaying a final agreement.

Currently, passengers can get a ride from Uber or Lyft to Orlando International Airport, but if they want a ride home, they have to take a cab or the more expensive Uber Select.

A new state law is still going into effect on July 1, which will force OIA to lift a ban on Uber and Lyft.

During a public hearing Wednesday with the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority, it was decided that pickups would have to happen at the second level of both terminals.

It was also decided that trips leaving the airport will have a built-in charge of $5.80, which is money that will go back to OIA.

The companies weren’t happy about the fee, saying it’s a bigger fee than what’s built into the fare for a taxi.

It’s all because lawmakers define ride sharing as something that’s set up in advance, versus asking for a ride from a taxi on the spot.

Traveler Ed Langan said he catches an Uber whenever he travels and that he’ll choose that option in Orlando as soon as it’s available.

“In most towns, it’s significantly more efficient,” he said.

OIA has been in negotiations with Uber and Lyft for years, and there’s a lot at stake.

The airport gets a large amount of money from rental cars and taxis, and now wants ride-sharing companies to do the same with a fee for riders.

“Uber is not agreeing with that analysis and (is) not cooperating,” said Phil Brown, OIA’s executive director.

Even without an agreement formalizing the relationship, the new state law allows Uber and Lyft to come in on July 1.

Drivers will be allowed to pull through the second-floor arrivals level, where taxis will be moving up from their existing pick-up spot on the ground level.

“We want to make sure we don’t advantage one of the operators over the other,” Brown said.

Taxi companies successfully lobbied to have Uber and Lyft fall into the higher-pricing tier under the state’s new law, giving taxi companies an upper hand on price.

Cox Media Group