A battle for taxi customers is heating up at Prague’s Václav Havel Airport, where Uber, the official taxi service provider, is facing unexpected competition from unauthorized operators. These unofficial “chasers” pose as legitimate assistants, misleading passengers right in front of Terminals 1 and 2, diverting business away from Uber.
Uber secured a five-year exclusive contract after winning a tender last year, paying approximately CZK 130 million annually for priority access directly in front of the terminals. Despite this, passengers still encounter deceptive taxi assistants who wear uniforms closely resembling official airport staff.
“These people aren’t affiliated with us,” confirmed Denisa Hejtmánková, spokeswoman for Prague Airport, emphasizing that these fake taxi assistants don’t represent airport personnel.
YouTuber Janek Rubeš recently highlighted this escalating issue, comparing the chaotic environment at the airport to the “wild nineties.” According to Rubeš, chasers openly solicit passengers, directing them towards taxis that consistently overcharge. His documentation of these practices even showed increased aggression, requiring police intervention.
Bolt, a direct competitor of Uber, publicly denies involvement in these deceptive activities. “Our platform actually helps reduce these types of unfair practices,” stated Bolt’s spokesperson Jan Huk. He stressed that Bolt provides clear, upfront pricing, aiming to enhance transparency for all passengers.
Uber, on its part, maintains a strategic partnership with the airport. Spokesperson Iwona Kruk noted ongoing efforts to further improve customer experience, despite the competitive challenges posed by unofficial taxis.
In response to these ongoing issues, Prague Airport has strengthened security measures, including deploying 24-hour patrols and increasing public communication to clearly identify Uber as the sole official taxi provider. The airport is also working closely with city and state police to effectively tackle these unauthorized practices.
Passengers have been cautioned to remain vigilant and use only clearly marked Uber services. Prague Airport remains committed to resolving these issues swiftly, ensuring passengers receive transparent and reliable transportation services.