Uber to become official taxi service for Prague Airport

Travelers arriving in Prague by plane will see some new transport options to get into the city center from spring 2023, as rideshare platform Uber has won a tender to become the official taxi service of Prague Airport. The airport announced the news via a press release issued yesterday.

Uber bid against one other company, presumably Prague Airport's current official taxi provider, to win the tender. The agreement includes fixed price quotes in advance of travel, 24/7 availability, and a fleet of mostly upper-middle-class cars no more than five years old.

“Taxi service is key for us. In the tender procedure, we emphasized the requirements of passengers, who above all want to know the price in advance," states Jakub Puchalský, a member of the board of directors at Prague Airport, which celebrated 85 years of operations in 2022.

"The new taxi operator will provide its services under the constant control of the airport. All rides, even those outside of Prague, must comply with the maximum price regulation.”

Prague Airport's official taxi service is the only provider allowed to await passengers exiting the airport. Other taxi services can enter the airport to pick up passengers, but may only stay short-term; if a passenger is delayed or the taxi returns to the airport within a 24-hour window, they must pay a 100 crown parking fee, typically passed down to the customer.

The contract for the current official provider at Prague Airport expires in January 2023, with Uber preparing to take over from February. According to the operator's agreement with Prague Airport, drivers must quote passengers a fixed price before the ride, which cannot rise despite traffic or other delays.

“The world is changing dynamically, and if we don’t want to be left behind, we have to respond to this development, among other things, by continuously improving our customer service offer," says Czech Minister of Finance Zbyněk Stanjura.

"I believe that the new taxi service operator will fulfill the expectations airport management has of them in this regard."

Passengers won't need to download the Uber app to order a taxi from Prague Aiport. Kiosks in the airport's arrival halls will also be available to book a journey.

Uber drivers permitted to work the Prague Airport route will need to have all necessary permits, speak fluent Czech, and enough English to be able to have a basic conversation with the customer. They will also need to wear appropriate attire, with the rideshare service ensuring their drivers meet all requirements.  

“The official partnership with Václav Havel Airport is a huge success and a significant milestone for our operation in Czechia," says Štěpán Šindelář, Uber operations manager for the Czech Republic.

"We know how crucial the quality of transportation from the airport is, not only for the capital city, but also for the entire Czech Republic. This gives us the opportunity to influence the reputation of our country at the very first contact with foreign visitors, which entails a great commitment that we are ready to take on with the utmost responsibility and care.”