Last fall, travelers leaving Dallas Love Field had a rough time when they were unable to board a rideshare at the curb outside baggage claim.
To ease traffic congestion, in September the city of Dallas moved Uber, Lyft and other rides to a 10-minute walk away. Then go for a brisk walk. Passengers departing from the terminal must leave their luggage across Garage B to hail a ride.
The Dallas City Council changed all that last week, but instead of getting better, the situation has gotten worse.
That's because Congress voted unanimously to award an exclusive five-year curbside pickup contract to subscription-based luxury rideshare provider Alto, which is only available with deep pockets.
Dallas-based Alto is different from your average rideshare because it owns its own fleet of luxury SUVs and employs its own drivers. Passengers can use his Alto app to control elements of their trip such as music and air conditioning.
But of course it comes at a price. Membership costs $12.95 per month or $119 per year, and he gets 30% off every ride after that. Passengers can take trips without a membership, but they have to pay much higher premiums than the average rideshare.
We are disappointed that this new contract was entered into by the City Council. Although the project was put out to bid, it is questionable whether the city should have sought an exclusive contract in the first place.
Why should a company in the busy and competitive rideshare market have an advantage in a gold mine location like Love Field? Curb space was given. Not only that, but his $287,852 pledge to the city will allow him to install a marquee sign and rent a booth near baggage claim.
Meanwhile, those who cannot afford Alto are forced to make a long and harrowing journey. It's not very customer friendly.
The City of Dallas also entered into a separate agreement with Irving Holdings, Yellow Cab's parent company, for exclusive rights to provide taxi rides at the terminal.
Uber, Lyft and other traditional rideshare companies didn't even make bids, according to city documents. An Uber spokesperson said the standards include provisions for drivers to be stationed at the airport and for the company to potentially have other personnel on-site. He said that was unacceptable given that Uber drivers are independent contractors who drive their own cars.
The city's new Love Field renovation master plan, currently in development, is expected to include a better place for the thousands of rideshare passengers who live there each year. That can't happen soon enough for weary travelers who can't afford an Alto and aren't feeling the love.
correctionApril 3, 2024: A previous version of this editorial incorrectly stated Alto membership fees.
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