Business Travelers Prefer Uber Over Rental Cars—Do Planners?

Change is afoot for transportation around destinations like Southwest Florida. Are cities like Tampa still planning too much for the old rental car model, and not for a future of transportation network companies, carsharing, and self-driving cars?

1 minute read

April 30, 2016, 1:00 PM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Rental Cars

Paul Matthew Photography / Shutterstock

Robert Trigaux wonders if efforts to build a "a big rental car facility at the next-generation Tampa International Airport," reflects a planning focus that looks back rather than forward. The problem, according to Trigaux, is a growing body of evidence that U.S. business travelers are choosing to travel with the help of transportation network companies like Uber and Lyft rather than rental cars.

The study, by travel- and expense-management software provider Certify, finds that "Uber accounted for 43 percent of ground transportation transactions, while rental cars had 40 percent. Led by Uber and Lyft, ride-hailing services surpassed rental cars for the first time in the fourth quarter of 2015 and have since widened their lead."

The trend threatens to impact Southwest Florida beyond the plans to build a large rental car facility near the Tampa International Airport. The rental car company Hertz relocated to Florida from New Jersey in 2013, bringing hopes of expansion and thousands of new jobs with it. Now, however, Hertz "has issued recent earnings warnings and its stock, just under $30 a share in mid 2014, closed Thursday at just over $9 a share."

 Trigaux also notes that Zipcar will soon launch its membership-based car-sharing service in Downtown Tampa. As reported in January 2013, Zipcar will be included in the footprint of the new airport rental car facility

Thursday, April 21, 2016 in Tampa Bay Times

View form second story inside Southdale Mall in Edina, Minnesota with escalators and model cars parked on downstairs floor.

The Mall Is Dead — Long Live the Mall

The American shopping mall may be closer to its original vision than ever.

March 21, 2024 - Governing

Houston, Texas skyline.

Report: Las Vegas, Houston Top List of Least Affordable Cities

The report assesses the availability of affordable rental units for low-income households.

March 22, 2024 - Urban Edge

Historic buildings in downtown Los Angeles with large "Pan American Lofts" sign on side of building.

Adaptive Reuse Bills Introduced in California Assembly

The legislation would expand eligibility for economic incentives and let cities loosen regulations to allow for more building conversions.

March 18, 2024 - Beverly Press

Amtrak train passing over tall trestle bridge on California coast at Gaviota Beach.

LA-to-San Francisco Night Train Closer to Reality

A train operator has entered into formal negotiations with Union Pacific to move the project forward with a projected launch date of 2025.

March 27 - SFGate

Major League Baseball Stadium

Lawsuit Aims to Stop Dodger Stadium Gondola

A proposed aerial tram project that would shuttle visitors to L.A.’s Dodger Stadium faces backlash from environmental and community groups.

March 27 - Los Angeles Times

ROwn of grey and white townhomes with gabled roofs and front porches.

Why Parking Reform Goes Hand in Hand With More Housing

To achieve the full benefits of ‘missing middle housing’ and make way for small-lot construction, cities must rethink parking mandates.

March 27 - Sightline

News from HUD User

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Call for Speakers

Mpact Transit + Community

New Updates on PD&R Edge

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.