Wellington Airport has become the first airport in New Zealand to welcome Uber after reaching an agreement with the ridesharing company.
The decision follows the passage of the Land Transport Amendment Bill which recognizes ridesharing services, like Uber, as part of New Zealand’s land transport regulatory framework. From September 1, travelers can be dropped off at the airport by an Uber driver-partner and a pickup zone has been opened at the site.
Greg Thomas, spokesman for Wellington Airport, said, “We’re pleased to reach an agreement with Uber and be the first airport to add ridesharing to our ground transport services.
“This is another example of how we are making transport to and from the airport easy and convenient for travelers. This means even greater options for travelers which already include a highly efficient bus service, shuttles, taxi, motorcycle and bicycle access, along with 10 minutes free pick-up and drop-off.
“We’re also investing in a NZ$70m transport hub and multi-level car park undercover right next to the terminal, which is due to open in June 2018. Finding a park on busy days isn’t always easy, but that will be addressed by the new car park building and we are adding more car parking spaces to the south of the terminal from late October this year. We are also committed to continuing to offer discounted day parking in our long-term parking facilities when booking online.”
Uber New Zealand general manager, Richard Menzies, added, “This is a win for consumer choice, tourism and the Wellington travelling public. Uber is an app trusted by tens of millions of customers from more than 70 different countries across the world, and we’re pleased visitors and locals will now have seamless access to the service at Wellington Airport.”
Passengers using Uber can now be dropped off in the public drop-off area on Level 1, and can meet their driver in the new pick-up zone on Level 0. Wellington Airport will charge drivers drop-off and pick-up fees of NZ$3 – the same as taxi and private hire operators, with Uber collecting this fee on behalf of Wellington Airport.
