Fixed prices, available 24/7: Uber becomes Prague Airport's official taxi provider

As of Tuesday, Sept. 26, ride-sharing platform Uber has officially become the main taxi provider for Prague's Václav Havel Airport. This marks a significant development for travelers who can look forward to fixed fares, 24/7 service availability, and a fleet of predominantly new vehicles, all aimed at enhancing the passenger experience.

Jakub Puchalský, Member of the Prague Airport Board of Directors, emphasized that passengers' rights are of the utmost importance for the new taxi service. "The new taxi service provider will provide its services under the constant control of the airport, focusing not only on the quality of Uber's service but also compliance in setting regulated prices," he said.

This marks an important milestone for passengers who will now be able to see the final price of their ride in advance, which, as is standard with Uber, will be calculated by the software.

Passengers can easily request Uber rides through the mobile app, the airport's web interface, or kiosks located in the arrival halls of both terminals. For travelers needing assistance or guidance, Uber staff will be available at service counters within the arrival halls. Dispatchers will also be present near terminal buildings to assist passengers in finding and boarding their cars.

The app also offers a variety of features, including the ability to pair with a specific car via a PIN code, which significantly reduces waiting times. Moreover, the app supports over 100 languages and translates messages between drivers and passengers to bridge language barriers.

Uber's service readiness at the airport will be dynamically adjusted based on current demand to prevent lengthy passenger waits. Additional services include the availability of car seats for families with children and transportation for individuals with reduced mobility or orientation challenges. Passengers will also have the opportunity to provide ratings for the service and drivers, contributing to overall service quality.

Uber emerged as the successful bidder in the airport's concession procedure, initially scheduled for launch in the spring. However, a competing bidder's appeal to the Office for the Protection of Economic Competition of the Czech Republic temporarily delayed the process.

Tick Tack, a subsidiary of Taxi Praha that has been providing taxi services at Prague Airport in collaboration with the company Fix since 2016, filed a complaint earlier this year. However, in early September, the Czech Antimonopoly Office confirmed the legality of Prague Airport's selection, solidifying Uber's position as the chosen provider.

Independent taxi drivers have voiced their frustration over Uber's partnership with Prague Airport, which essentially "pushed them out" of operations. However, with increased pricing transparency and the possibility of reduced wait times by an average of 50 percent, the partnership marks a significant win for passengers.