Uber fans can rejoice. The ridesharing company and the Sacramento International Airport reached an agreement Tuesday that will allow Uber to operate at the airport.
"It is easy to take," Uber passenger Sonia Garcia said. "The guy at the information told me that it would be cheaper."
It took six months of negotiations between the ridesharing company and officials at SMF to secure the deal. The airport will impose a $1.75 rider fee for all Uber pickups and drop offs.
"Our customers have asked us and asked us and asked us to bring Uber to the airport, and I'm very happy to announce this is now a reality," said Laurie Slothower, Communication and Media Officer with the Sacramento County Department of Airports.
A reality that doesn't sit well with many taxi drivers who make a living shuttling passengers to and from the airport. Drivers awaiting fares at Terminal A's taxi stand expressed frustration about their new competitor, calling the move unfair. However, their supervisor barred them from being interviewed.
A downtown based driver had a different perspective.
"If they give the good service then they can get the business," taxi driver Mohammed Ahson said. "If we give the good service then we can get the business."
Some passengers have already made their choice.
Roman Vysochi hasn't taken a taxi in a decade, "But, I took Uber last week," he said.
Uber is the first of the ridesharing apps to reach an agreement with SMF. The permit applies to UberX drivers, but the airport does not currently have an agreement with other companies such as Lyft and Sidecar, Slothower said.
Permits for companies like Lyft and sidecar are available if they're willing to sign an agreement with the airport, Slothower said.
"Last week, Uber celebrated one million rides with riders and drivers in Sacramento, and this week the celebration continues as the Sacramento International Airport opens its doors to Uber," Uber Sacramento General Manager Jay Gierak said in a news release. "We are excited to welcome residents and visitors to California's capital city with safe, reliable, and affordable Uber service, connecting them to the places and people they love."
UberBLACK, the premium, commercially-licensed service, has been operating at the airport under a different operating permit, Slothower noted.
