LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) – Customers and car-rental “hosts” with Turo are speaking out about new Las Vegas airport access rules and fees, after officials gave Turo an agreement to operate.
Turo’s platform moderates “car sharing”—or a way to rent someone’s personal vehicle. The new agreement created by the airport and solidified in late July came with a set of rules for access, and fees: Turo hosts must drop off vehicles in a remote parking lot across from the Rent-A-Car Center. Tourists and flyers must take the bus to the Center, then walk to the crosswalk, across the street, then circle back to the Remote Lot off Gillespie Street.
Hosts said that some customers, in an effort to avoid walking too far with luggage and children in the heat, are darting in the middle of the road.
The pick-up arrangement may come as a surprise or jolt to consistent Turo customers from other cities. The platform offers direct-delivery service to customers, and according to a Turo spokesperson, other airports allow customers access in park-and-ride lots or structures.
“Most people want the convenience of having a car delivered right to them. And they can do that in many other cities. And that’s what they want here in Vegas too,” Power Host David Army said. “If you imagine a family with kids and luggage and they’re trying to walk through and get to the car, it’s going to be a headache for everybody,” he said.
Prior to the arrangement, some hosts simply parked the vehicle in Economy parking structures for easy access for guests; parking is not permitted and some Turo hosts were left with fines and tickets on their dashboard.
Every booking now has an additional “airport fee.” Some vehicle hosts tell FOX5, customers who turn to the platform for a budget-friendly booking have cancelled.
“I don’t think they’re liking the added fees that the airport is charging,” said Power Host Erik Lizar, who said some of his many customers have cancelled over the fees.
Lizar and other hosts said that they hope the airport will adapt its rules with the growing demand for the platform.
“There’s not enough cars in Vegas to fulfill the demand every weekend,” said Lizar. Customers choose the platform for various reasons, from budget-friendly options to more custom vehicles. [Maybe] they want something specific, or maybe a Corvette,” Lizar said.
Two years ago, Clark County approved business licenses for Turo hosts to operate across the Las Vegas Valley. As the platform has grown nationwide, in July, Harry Reid Airport officials presented an agreement with Turo for Clark County officials to approve.
A Turo spokesperson tells FOX5, they have researched host and customers’ concerns and reached out this week to officials at Harry Reid Airport with ways to improve customer experience. Turo does not profit from the added fees, said spokesperson Catherine Mejia.
Mejia tells FOX5, the current agreement is a major step for the platform, hosts and users—but the current and future arrangement is ultimately the airport’s decision. Turo did present various options to the airport such as “curbside service,” which is offered at LAX Airport in Los Angeles.
The airport gave FOX5 the following statement:
Several hosts tell FOX5, the ticketing machine at the Remote Lot’s entrance gave users a jolt when they touched it. Lizar said his wife was badly shocked, and required EMS treatment. Harry Reid officials confirmed the incident but said that no “faulty mechanisms” were found by electricians.
FOX5 heard from several people Thursday and Friday who felt a “jolt” when touching the ticket machine. An airport spokesperson said crews would look into the issue again.
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