Prague Airport, known as Letiště Praha, has entered into a five-year contract with Uber, marking the ride-hailing giant as the winner of the tender for taxi services at the Prague airport. Starting next Tuesday, Uber will commence operations at the airport, although the financial terms of the contract have not been disclosed publicly.

This decision follows a tumultuous tender process for taxi services at the Prague airport. The initial competition was canceled, leading to the involvement of the antimonopoly office in the second competition.

Jakub Puchalský, a member of the board of directors of Letiště Praha, expressed satisfaction with the decision, emphasizing the airport’s commitment to passenger requirements, particularly the need for upfront pricing. He noted that the new taxi operator would operate under continuous airport supervision, ensuring that all rides, even those outside of Prague, adhere to local regulations regarding maximum fares.

Originally, Uber was expected to begin offering taxi services at the airport in February of this year, but the timeline was postponed due to objections from the second competitor, Tick Tack company. Tick Tack, part of the Taxi Praha group, has been providing taxi services at the Prague airport since 2016, in partnership with the Fix company.

The administrative proceedings related to the tender were completed in early September, clearing the way for the contract to be signed. The primary condition of the tender was that the operator, Uber in this case, must determine the final price before each ride, utilizing their software for calculation. This price must not exceed the agreed-upon amount, even if the route changes or there are delays due to traffic.

Additional conditions specified in the contract include the obligation to ensure high-quality services and safety, maintain a fleet of vehicles no older than three years, ensure drivers exhibit professional behavior with at least basic English and fluent Czech language skills, provide 24/7 transportation availability, and offer cashless payment options. The operator must also ensure an adequate number of vehicles at the airport based on current demand and provide vehicles suitable for disabled passengers or families with children.

The partnership between Prague Airport and Uber aims to enhance the transportation experience for passengers by providing convenient, transparent, and reliable taxi services at the airport.

Article by Prague Forum