Uber drivers and taxi drivers each asked for a level playing field in their battle for customers in Atlanta and at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport.
State legislation passed earlier this year to require ride-share services like Uber X and Lyft to submit to background checks and to pay taxes takes effect July 1. But that doesn’t mean Uber X has free rein to pick up at the Atlanta airport, the city said.
Airport officials say they are working on policies, and the Atlanta City Council is holding work sessions before policies are finalized.
Uber X drivers pushed for the ability to pick up at the airport, saying customers ask for it.
“Our service should be able to operate anywhere where people need to access transportation,” said Uber driver Bob Carr.
But cab drivers said they pay fees and comply with regulatory requirements to operate at the airport.
“All we’re really asking for is parity,” said Rick Hewatt, president of Atlanta Checker Cab. The competition from Uber X and other ride-share services, which have not been subject to the same requirements, has “been devastating for our industry.”
Another change with the new state law is that cities can no longer set precise fares charged by taxi cabs; instead, they can only set maximum fares. Taxi operators can charge less than the maximum if they choose to.
The current set rates range from about $30 to $40 for trips from the airport to downtown, Midtown and Buckhead.
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