Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
City to Decide on Charging Lyft, Uber for Airport Rides
David Website Replacement
By David Taub, Senior Reporter
Published 8 years ago on
April 5, 2017

Share

Getting a ride to and from the airport may become more costly.

In a February speech, Mayor Lee Brand said he wanted Fresno to “start getting its share” from transportation companies like Uber and Lyft. On Thursday, the city council will consider a proposal to charge such businesses to make pickups and drop-offs at Fresno Yosemite International.

The Airports Department is asking for a $3 dollar fee each way for Transportation Network Companies (TNC), what the state calls those ride-sharing companies. There would be no annual charge.

The fee is similar to what the busiest airports in the state charge:

Graphic showing airport fees for Lyft and Uber

Currently, the fees are on council’s consent agenda (item 1-G), meaning it would be passed in one vote with other routine city items. It could be set aside for more discussion if a council member wishes so.

The airport lies within the district of councilman Paul Caprioglio. He tells GV Wire he is in favor of the fees. “It’s standard and seems appropriate. Why shouldn’t we revenue raise?”

The fees are still causing some tension between the taxi cab industry and the new technology. “How can they operate under a regular license, when they engaging in a commercial operation?” asks a member of the local taxi community who asked his name not be used for fear of retaliation. “There is no difference between a taxi and Uber and Lyft but an ap.”

According the taxi driver, the city charges $225 for a permit for each car. When informed that there would be no permit charge for Uber or Lyft, the reply: “They should charge them more.”

One of the company’s affected by the proposal isn’t happy with it either.

“While we understand ground transportation fees are a part of doing business, the fee structure proposed is massively disproportionate to the size of the Fresno Yosemite Airport. Lyft works with airports across the country to provide modern, affordable transportation options to travelers, and we are hopeful we will be able to find a way forward here as well,” Chelsea Harrison, Lyft’s Senior Policy Communications Manger tells GV Wire.

According to a city staff report, the airport estimates it experienced a reduction of public parking use in the last year since Uber and Lyft has been allowed to serve FAT. They put that number as $4.64 for each drop-off or pickup. The city also estimates a yearly revenue of $108,000 in these fees (based on 3,000 trips a month). As for how the airport will use the money, the report states “the revenue will be deposited into the Airports Enterprise Fund and will support FATs operations and maintenance costs, facilities capital program, long term capital needs, and will ensure future investment grade bond ratings.”

FAT also plans to create a dedicated curb space in front of the terminal for ride sharing companies to conduct business.

If passed, the fees would go into effect May 1. Uber and Lyft have operated at the airport without a fee since last year.

[Update: this story has added information (April 6, 4:27p) regarding how much revenue will be collected by the airport and how it will be used]

Harrison photo credit: LinkedIn

Contact David Taub

Phone: 559-492-4037 / e-mail

This story was not subject to the approval of Granville Homes.

DON'T MISS

Fresno County Man Accused of Filing Fake Disability Claims in $300K Fraud Scheme

DON'T MISS

Trump Nominates Fox News Host Pete Hegseth for Defense Secretary

DON'T MISS

Economists Warn of Inflation and Debt Risks in Trump’s Second Term Plans

DON'T MISS

How Many Smoke Shops Is Too Many? Fresno Plan Would Allow Only 49

DON'T MISS

US Says It Will Not Limit Israel Arms Transfers After Some Improvements in Flow of Aid to Gaza

DON'T MISS

Who With Valley Ties Could Land Spots in the Trump Administration?

DON'T MISS

Tulare Gang Member Gets Life Without Parole for 2022 Murders

DON'T MISS

Who With Valley Ties Could Land Spots in the Trump Administration?

DON'T MISS

Gov. Newsom Said No, but California Voters Overwhelmingly Said Yes

DON'T MISS

Mike Tyson-Jake Paul: How to Watch the Fight, Time, Odds

UP NEXT

Tulare Gang Member Gets Life Without Parole for 2022 Murders

UP NEXT

Merced’s Iconic Laura Fountain Returns to Splendor With $300K Restoration

UP NEXT

‘The Best Christmas Pageant Ever,’ a Christian Comedy, Scores With Audience in Fresno Premiere

UP NEXT

Clovis Wants to Rein in Short-Term Rentals. Hearing Is Tuesday.

UP NEXT

Clovis Serves Up a Special Day for Veterans and Community

UP NEXT

Dust Storm Knocks Out Power in Fresno Area, Causes Massive Pile-Up in Madera

UP NEXT

Free Sandwiches in Fresno. No Strings Attached, Says Marijuana-Themed Deli.

UP NEXT

How Many Drivers Did Fresno PD Nab in Latest DUI Checkoint?

UP NEXT

Thousands of Merced County 2024 Election Ballots Still Left to Count Amid Tight Races

UP NEXT

What’s the 112-Year-Old Clovis Tradition That’s Ending?

David Taub,
Senior Reporter
Curiosity drives David Taub. The award-winning journalist might be shy, but feels mighty with a recorder in his hand. He doesn't see it his job to "hold public officials accountable," but does see it to provide readers (and voters) the information needed to make intelligent choices. Taub has been honored with several writing awards from the California News Publishers Association. He's just happy to have his stories read. Joining GV Wire in 2016, Taub covers politics, government and elections, mainly in the Fresno/Clovis area. He also writes columns about local eateries (Appetite for Fresno), pro wrestling (Off the Bottom Rope), and media (Media Man). Prior to joining the online news source, Taub worked as a radio producer for KMJ and PowerTalk 96.7 in Fresno. He also worked as an assignment editor for KCOY-TV in Santa Maria, California, and KSEE-TV in Fresno. He has also worked behind the scenes for several sports broadcasts, including the NCAA basketball tournament, and the Super Bowl. When not spending time with his family, Taub loves to officially score Fresno Grizzlies games. Growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area, Taub is a die-hard Giants and 49ers fan. He graduated from the University of Michigan with dual degrees in communications and political science. Go Blue! You can contact David at 559-492-4037 or at Send an Email

How Many Smoke Shops Is Too Many? Fresno Plan Would Allow Only 49

31 mins ago

US Says It Will Not Limit Israel Arms Transfers After Some Improvements in Flow of Aid to Gaza

38 mins ago

Who With Valley Ties Could Land Spots in the Trump Administration?

1 hour ago

Tulare Gang Member Gets Life Without Parole for 2022 Murders

3 hours ago

Who With Valley Ties Could Land Spots in the Trump Administration?

3 hours ago

Gov. Newsom Said No, but California Voters Overwhelmingly Said Yes

4 hours ago

Mike Tyson-Jake Paul: How to Watch the Fight, Time, Odds

4 hours ago

Travel in the West Bank Is a Tale of Two Journeys

4 hours ago

Chris Wallace Is Leaving CNN, Eager to Explore New Media Landscape

5 hours ago

Merced’s Iconic Laura Fountain Returns to Splendor With $300K Restoration

5 hours ago

Fresno County Man Accused of Filing Fake Disability Claims in $300K Fraud Scheme

Leonel Hernandez, 51, of Parlier, faces serious charges in what prosecutors say was a years-long scheme to defraud the California Employment...

12 mins ago

A Fresno County man has been indicted on mail fraud charges for allegedly submitting over $300,000 in falsified disability claims using stolen identities. (GV Wire File)
12 mins ago

Fresno County Man Accused of Filing Fake Disability Claims in $300K Fraud Scheme

Pete Hegseth walks to an elevator for a meeting with President-elect Donald Trump at Trump Tower in New York, Dec. 15, 2016. (AP File)
15 mins ago

Trump Nominates Fox News Host Pete Hegseth for Defense Secretary

19 mins ago

Economists Warn of Inflation and Debt Risks in Trump’s Second Term Plans

31 mins ago

How Many Smoke Shops Is Too Many? Fresno Plan Would Allow Only 49

38 mins ago

US Says It Will Not Limit Israel Arms Transfers After Some Improvements in Flow of Aid to Gaza

Photo of David Bernhardt
1 hour ago

Who With Valley Ties Could Land Spots in the Trump Administration?

Nathaniel Lujano, 23, of Tulare, a known gang member was sentenced to life without parole for two 2022 murders, committed to benefit a criminal street gang. (Tulare County DA)
3 hours ago

Tulare Gang Member Gets Life Without Parole for 2022 Murders

Photo of David Bernhardt
3 hours ago

Who With Valley Ties Could Land Spots in the Trump Administration?

Search

Send this to a friend