Connecting the Upper Middle Neighborhoods of Phoenix - Arcadia, Biltmore, North Central
No Result
View All Result
SUBSCRIBE
The Upper Middle
  • All News
    • Business
    • Commentary
    • Community
    • Culture
    • Education
    • Events
    • Family
    • Food & Drink
    • Lifestyle & Fitness
    • Local News
    • Real Estate
  • Business Directory
The Upper Middle
  • All News
    • Business
    • Commentary
    • Community
    • Culture
    • Education
    • Events
    • Family
    • Food & Drink
    • Lifestyle & Fitness
    • Local News
    • Real Estate
  • Business Directory
No Result
View All Result
SUBSCRIBE
The Upper Middle
No Result
View All Result

Goldwater Institute Pleads With Phoenix To Abandon Uber/Lyft Airport Fee

  • December 9, 2019
  • theumphx
  • The Upper Middle

A conservative Arizona think tank is warning the city of Phoenix that proposed Lyft and Uber airport fees would be both bad for business and a violation of the state constitution.

The Goldwater Institute recently sent a letter to Mayor Kate Gallego urging the city to withdraw the proposal for fees on pickups and drop-offs by ride-hailing services at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.

The Phoenix City Council approved the fees – a phased-in increase from the current $2.66 to $5 for pickups and a new phased-in $5 charge for drop-offs – by a 7-2 vote in October, but the result was invalidated because of an administrative error.

According to the letter, written by Goldwater Institute Director of National Litigation Jon Riches, the fees would violate a state ban on new taxes or tax increases on services.

The ban was added to the constitution through Proposition 126, which passed by a 65%-36% margin in 2018.

“The plain language of Prop 126 shows that the city’s proposed rate increase violates the Arizona Constitution as both an imposition of a new fee and an increase of an existing fee,” the letter says. “The language of Prop 126 is plain and unambiguous.”

The letter says Phoenix would likely be subject “to legal challenge from the many parties who would be harmed by” the fees.

The Goldwater Institute also makes the case to reject the fee proposal from a business perspective.

“The city’s substantial rate increase will impact Arizona’s national standing as a tourist and business destination, harm passengers, including low- to middle-income passengers, and impact ride-sharing drivers who earn modest pay by providing a reliable and valued service,” the letter says.

Lyft has threatened to stop service to and from the airport if the fees are put into place.

If the City Council approves the proposal a second time, a $4 fee would be added to curbside pickups and drop-offs at the airport starting in 2020. The amount would go up 25 cents each year until reaching $5 in 2024.

The proposal also includes a $2.80 fee for rideshare drop-offs and pickups at the 44th Street PHX Sky Train Station.

It’s up to the companies to decide how the fees would be absorbed, meaning it’s unclear whether or not they would cause users to pay more and/or drivers to earn less.

The proposal was designed in part to reduce the number of vehicles at the terminals and encourage use of the free PHX Sky Train, according to the city’s aviation department.

Click here to read the Goldwater Institute’s Full Letter.

Sponsored Ad

RECENT NEWS

Expedia Launches New Feature That Turns Instagram Reels into Bookable Trips

Krispy Kreme Launches Limited-Edition PAC-MAN Doughnuts to Celebrate 45th Anniversary

Two Arizona Landmarks Named to 2025 List of Most Endangered Historic Places

Uncrustables® Launches First-Ever Limited-Edition Flavor: Peanut Butter & Mixed Berry Spread Sandwiches Debut Nationwide This Summer

Waymo’s Expansion Brings More Driverless Cars to Phoenix Neighborhoods Like Arcadia and North Central

Phoenix–Paris Takes Off: Air France Expands Sky Harbor Service to Five Weekly Flights

Next Post
Ak-Chin Pavilion Selling 2020 Season Passes For Concerts

New Warning: Permanent Hair Dye And Straighteners Could Increase Risk Of Breast Cancer

Fose + McKay Fose + McKay Fose + McKay
The Upper Middle Phoenix
The Upper Middle Phoenix (The UM) is your go-to source for local news, events, business updates, and culture in Arcadia, North Central Phoenix, and Biltmore. We also cover Paradise Valley and Downtown Phoenix, bringing you the latest on food & drink, real estate, outdoor activities, and community happenings.
Connecting the Upper Middle Neighborhoods of Phoenix - Arcadia, Biltmore, North Central

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

SUBSCRIBE

©2025 The Upper Middle 1801 East Camelback Road, Suite 201, Phoenix, AZ 85016 / 602.222.4700 / [email protected] 

Max Fose – Publisher | Privacy Policy | Advertise With Us | Media Kit | About The Upper Middle Phoenix

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • All News
    • Business
    • Commentary
    • Community
    • Culture
    • Education
    • Events
    • Family
    • Food & Drink
    • Lifestyle & Fitness
    • Local News
    • Real Estate
  • Business Directory
Connecting the Upper Middle Neighborhoods of Phoenix - Arcadia, Biltmore, North Central

©2025 The Upper Middle 1801 East Camelback Road, Suite 201, Phoenix, AZ 85016 / 602.222.4700 / [email protected]