Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport Authority Seeks Agreement with Uber Ride Service

The Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport Authority and Uber are trying to iron out kinks in a proposed agreement that would strengthen regulations about the company’s drivers picking up or dropping off passengers at Burbank’s Bob Hope Airport.

Airport authority officials hope the agreement would lead to an increase in revenues, which have been falling since Uber and other similar firms launched ride services and made it easier for travelers to hail taxis using only smartphone apps.

App-enabled ride services have been cutting into airport parking revenues, officials said, since hundreds of travelers each week have opted not to drive themselves.

A report on the Los Angeles Times said two of Uber’s competitors, Lyft and Wingz, have signed agreements with the airport authority, but Uber is objecting to some points in the draft.

The agreement will include penalties for Uber drivers violating airport pick-up and drop-off rules, and banning Uber vehicles from the airport vicinity if the violations become too frequent.

The LA Times said airport authority officials wanted to curb rule-breaking that cause traffic congestion and other inconveniences on airport property with the agreement, which they proposed in November.

Airport rules require ride service drivers to pick up passengers only in the short-term parking area where they pay $3 for the first hour, a charge passed on to app users.

Officials complain drivers are skirting the requirement to avoid paying the parking fee. They also fear drivers could still be charging an extra $3 from users which the drivers could be pocketing instead.

Bob Hope Airport does not charge any fee yet for drop-offs at the curbside.