Update: As of May 30th, Uber + Lyft have resumed picking up passengers at Asheville Regional Airport after they reached an agreement that includes fees + designates an area for the ride-booking companies.
#Answered: On Monday, Uber voluntarily ceased pick-up operations with the Asheville Regional Airport after the airport changed their ground transportation policy, which now requires that transportation providers, like Uber and Lyft, pay a per-trip use fee and park in a gated area away from the curb (which is a common practice at airports around the country).
- The lot, which is around the corner from the baggage claim area, is gate-arm controlled and is accessed via a keycard provided to drivers that tracks trips to the airport.
- There is no cost to drivers for the key card; rather, Uber would be responsible for paying the usage fees.
- Uber cannot stage for pick-ups at the airport until they comply with the new operating procedures.
- Taxis, limos, and public transport are all still providing service.
- The new fee is $2.50 for limos and taxis, and $3.50 for rideshare services like Uber.
The shift comes as business at the airport continues to increase, causing more traffic congestion on Terminal Dr. Charging a per-trip fee for ground transportation providers is common at airports across the country.
According to Tina Kinsey, Director of Marketing + PR for Asheville Regional Airport, Uber (corporate) has refused to comply with this new operating procedure, and voluntarily ceased operations at the airport.
“We are disappointed by their decision – we have an open ground transportation system, and we invite any ground transportation provider to pick up passengers at the airport, as long as they follow our procedures. This includes rideshare operators, like Uber,” she said.
As of 4:30 on Tuesday night, Lyft was no longer picking up at the airport, either. There are a few shuttle services that pick up from the airport, including GO Airport Shuttle + Super Shuttle. See options here.
