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Because it operates a bit differently than other ride-hailing services like Uber and Lyft, a new company has Salt Lake City's blessing to transport passengers to and from Salt Lake City International Airport.
Blacklane, based in Germany, announced Thursday that it is immediately launching operations in Salt Lake City as part of an expansion to 30 U.S. cities.
The company contracts with local limousine services or their drivers — who are usually licensed to operate at the airport — and helps fill times when they are not otherwise scheduled. Uber and Lyft use everyday people as drivers using their own cars.
"Airport transfers are our sweet spot," said Jens Wohltorf, founder and CEO of Blacklane, in a telephone interview. Blacklane now offers service at more than 300 airports worldwide, and in 50 countries.
Wohltorf said because Blacklane contracts with those who already work out of the airport, he believes that covers all legal requirements and fees.
David Everitt, chief of staff to Mayor Ralph Becker, said Blacklane's descriptions indeed make it sound like it complies with city ordinances. He said employees for other ride-hailing services could also obtain required badging and licensing to operate there, but questions have arisen about whether they actually do.
"It sounds like they are totally fine," Everitt said of Blacklane. "From our perspective, so long as the drivers are meeting all of the requirements for operating at the airport, then I don't see any issues." He said the city welcomes them, and welcomes more competition among such services.
Blacklane provides scheduled rides in luxury cars — up to months in advance — through its website or smartphone app, with rates guaranteed at booking. Those rates include a one-hour wait time for airport arrivals, meaning there is no additional charge for passengers up to an an hour late for scheduled pickup.
Blacklane adjusts airport- pickup times based on automated flight tracking. Passengers receive the driver's name and mobile number an hour before pickup by email and text message, and additional notification when the driver arrives.
"Beyond a ride-hailing system, we are only dealing with professional drivers," Wohltorf said. "We only contract and partner with the local industry of professional driver services in each and every market, the same in Salt Lake City, to make sure we comply with local law."
Wohltorf said most of Blacklane's customers are business travelers, although it also caters to people traveling for leisure.
He said prices initially are between what a taxi and limousine service charges, but prices tend to fall over time as volume increases. Wohltorf adds that Blacklane chose to expand to Salt Lake City because "we saw demand in our customer base" for service there.