More travelers using Uber and Lyft, fewer using taxis and airport parking | WSB (Atlanta: hotel, home)

[jsvh]

https://www.wsbtv.com/news/local/atl...king/990433830

More travelers using Uber and Lyft, fewer using taxis and airport parking | WSB

Hartsfield-Jackson International for years has seen taxi traffic dwindle as more travelers use Uber and Lyft, and now the airport is seeing a decline in its parking revenue.

In the April-June quarter of 2019, the airport saw a more than $1 million drop in airport parking revenue compared with a year ago, equivalent to a decline of about 2.84 percent for the quarter.

It's a trend seen at other airports around the country over the past couple of years, and now parking revenue at the world's busiest airport is also beginning to decline.

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One of the biggest complaints among the growing number of travelers using Uber and Lyft at the airport is the long walk to get to the pickup areas near economy parking.

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Selden said the airport is studying potential future locations for Uber and Lyft pickups, such as inside the parking decks, at the lower level curb or in a new ATL West parking deck under construction.

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The airport's overall revenue is up as it brings in more from other areas including concessions.

But with parking revenue making up such a large portion of the airport's budget, Selden hopes to boost parking revenue through other strategies.

The airport plans to put in technological improvements at the new ATL West parking deck being built next to the Georgia International Convention Center, connected to the airport via the free SkyTrain.

Hopefully the airport looks at options to scale back plans for expanded parking decks at the airport and instead builds a more convenient Uber / Lyft pickup area.

[samiwas1]

Originally Posted by jsvh

https://www.wsbtv.com/news/local/atl...king/990433830



Hopefully the airport looks at options to scale back plans for expanded parking decks at the airport and instead builds a more convenient Uber / Lyft pickup area.

Related...Hartsfield-Jackson parking gets even tighter with construction closures. The airport closed over 1,000 economy spots during the time in question. At $14 per spot per day, if those spots were only 80% utilized for 60 days, that alone would account for over $700,000 in lost income.

And parking at the airport is a pain. The off-site lots are sometimes much easier.

But, agreed that making more convenient Uber/Lyft pickup would be great. Although, doing it on the lower level now is about as easy as it gets. I would not want them doing in in general baggage claim pickup...it's already so congested.

[jsvh]

Originally Posted by samiwas1

Although, doing it on the lower level now is about as easy as it gets. I would not want them doing in in general baggage claim pickup...it's already so congested.

It is not at lower level pickup now. It is a solid walk through a parking garage to a surface lot they re-stripped for Uber / Lyft pickups.

[samiwas1]

Originally Posted by jsvh

It is not at lower level pickup now. It is a solid walk through a parking garage to a surface lot they re-stripped for Uber / Lyft pickups.

Wait...what got moved to the lower level? Was that parking shuttles? Sorry...got that mixed up. Yeah..the uber/lyft pickup on the other side of the parking garage is stupid. Should move them to the same location as the parking shuttles.

[jsvh]

Originally Posted by samiwas1

Wait...what got moved to the lower level? Was that parking shuttles? Sorry...got that mixed up. Yeah..the uber/lyft pickup on the other side of the parking garage is stupid. Should move them to the same location as the parking shuttles.

Don't think there is enough capacity where the parking shuttles go. Plus the hotel is getting near there.



They do mention the lower level as a potential future location for Uber / Lyft but right now it is just additional pickup / drop off lanes.

[arjay57]

I understand the convenience of having a door to door chauffeur, but does it reduce traffic and greenhouse gases?

[jsvh]

Originally Posted by arjay57

I understand the convenience of having a door to door chauffeur, but does it reduce traffic and greenhouse gases?

Uber and Lyft? No, not directly. But it does help reduce the need for more parking lots and decks. Which concrete production is a top green-house gas producer. Reducing parking lots also allows for better urban layout and thus less driving, more walking, biking, and transit options which does. For example, people with a mid day departing flight but late night return might normally drive both ways and park at the airport so they can drive home after MARTA stops running. But now they can take MARTA to the airport and Uber / Lyft home. Saving emissions and traffic that way.

But I agree with your general notion, that greener options such as transit should still be given priority.

[BR Valentine]

Originally Posted by arjay57

I understand the convenience of having a door to door chauffeur, but does it reduce traffic and greenhouse gases?

No. A significant portion of Uber / Lyft driver miles involve no passenger(s).

[Need4Camaro]

Originally Posted by arjay57

I understand the convenience of having a door to door chauffeur, but does it reduce traffic and greenhouse gases?

No it doesnt. Infact studies have shown that they have actually increased traffic because they convert would be pedestrian or even transit users into automobile riders which should technically be considered single occupant as they seldomly ridepool for origination to destination.

The only time people with automobiles already ever use them is it their car breaks down, or they need to go somewhere they do not desire to pay for parking, but the traffic count on any stretch of road is not altered by their presence.

[Tarzanman]

Rideshare accounts for up to 14% of traffic (measured in miles driven) in some cities. With Atlanta Hartsfield, the convenience is typically worth it. I used to fly a good bit for work and with the ability to expense travel costs, convenience was king.
I would typically Uber/Lyft to the nearest MARTA station because there's no matching the combination of zero delays (barring train malfunctions or some other abnormal incident) and being dumped out about 50 yards from baggage claim.

Compare that to risking traffic backups (which are usually a factor) and/or a 3/4 mile walk that takes you up to 10 minutes to hoof it from your car to the terminal. Off-site parking and shuttles are an option, but you end up spending about the same on a Lyft/Uber depending on the length of your trip.