NEW Rideshare Policy Creates Chaos at the Orlando International Airport

Traveling during the holidays can be a bit overwhelming.

Orlando Airport

Between longer wait times at security and potential flight delays and cancelations, mentally preparing yourself for some hiccups is a good idea. If you’re traveling through the Orlando International Airport (MCO) this season, we have some unfortunate news about another problem you might encounter: rideshare struggles.

During the holiday season, the Orlando International Airport can get extremely busy. If you’ll be passing through there soon and are hoping to use Uber or another rideshare service to get to your destination, it will require a lot of patience.

Orlando International Airport can get very busy

According to Click Orlando, a new policy at MCO has created logistical problems leading to some of the longest airport pickup delays in the state. During the busy Thanksgiving period, rideshare drivers started to park illegally on the main entrance roads leading up to the terminal, waiting for customers from the airport. In addition, some drivers were parking off-property in restaurant and hotel parking lots along South Semoran Boulevard.

Orlando International Airport

These business owners spoke to Orlando City Commissioner Tony Ortiz about their concerns, who said he requested a meeting with Uber to address the situation. According to Ortiz, Uber took action without a meeting — changing its geofencing to prevent drivers from picking up airport rides off property.

Southwest at Orlando International Airport

Now, Uber drivers can only enter the in-app virtual queue when they are located in one of the two allocated rideshare lots — the North TNC (Transportation Network Company) lot and the South TNC lot. Unfortunately, cell phone reception is poor to non-existent in the South TNC lot, so if drivers want to be able to book rides in the app, they all have to cram into the North TNC lot.

Spirit Airlines at Orlando Airport

Uber driver Scott Ellis, who shared a video of the parking lot with bumper-to-bumper traffic and cars honking left and right, said the new policy is creating “absolute pandemonium.” According to Ellis, some drivers have even resorted to parking elsewhere and running across the streets into the lot with their phones to enter the virtual pickup queue, creating safety concerns.

Orlando International Airport

This backed-up traffic situation makes it even harder for drivers to exit the lot, adding extra wait times to passenger pickup. While the airport has communicated that they are working to improve cell phone service in the South TNC lot, it’s a good idea to add in some extra travel time if you will be using rideshare this season.

Orlando International Airport

If you’re heading to Disney World, keep in mind that you can book a ride with Mears Connect Driven by Sunshine to avoid this headache! In the meantime, stay tuned to DFB for all the latest Disney news.

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Have you been affected by this new policy at the Orlando airport? Let us know in the comments below!

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