Save money on Uber airport rides with this new service. Here's how it works in Phoenix

Uber is introducing a new service designed to reduce carbon emissions by encouraging greater use of electric and hybrid vehicles for airport pickups. Travelers who choose it will save a few dollars off the price of their ride.

Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is one of the first two airports in the nation to get Uber Green. The service is set to go live on Thursday, June 8, and also is launching in Portland, Oregon.

Selecting Uber Green will offer riders savings on the fee the airport charges for pickups and drop-offs. At the airport, they'll be picked up in what Uber describes as a "preferential pickup area" that will be closer and more convenient than standard rideshare pickup areas.

The preferential pickup area at Sky Harbor is not known yet.

How much money can riders save with Uber Green?

Uber Green will offer 40% off the airport pickup surcharge, which covers what Sky Harbor charges Uber to pick up and drop off passengers. It's currently $4.75 per ride.

Uber staff estimated the reduced surcharge for Uber Green rides would be about $2.85 per trip.

"It's just great to see the airport putting incentives out there," Kate McMillan, Uber's head of business development for U.S. and Canada airports, said in an interview with The Arizona Republic. "Everything counts, and we appreciate the leadership and partnership from Phoenix for the ability to offer this to riders."

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How do I hail an Uber Green ride?

When riders open the Uber app at the airport, they will see an image with the words "introducing green curb access," which links to options for booking a ride in an electric or hybrid vehicle. When scheduling a ride to the airport, look in the Options menu for "green curb access."

Uber said Uber Green drivers at the Phoenix airport will use a designated pickup and drop-off area that will be more convenient to the terminal than the current locations.

Those locations haven't been announced. The airport's sustainability team is working with Uber and other ground transportation providers to determine the best location, airport spokeswoman Tamra Ingersoll said. Until then, the current rideshare locations will be used.

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Why is Uber Green a big deal for the Phoenix airport?

An environmentally friendlier rideshare option builds on Sky Harbor's sustainability commitment, which includes achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040. Net zero refers to the balance of emissions in the atmosphere with the amount removed.

It's a commitment that led Airports Council International in September 2022 to award Sky Harbor a Level 4 "transformation" rating under its Airport Carbon Accreditation Program for efforts to improve the customer experience while reducing negative environmental impacts.

Partnering with Uber Green is another example of those efforts, Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego said in a statement.

"Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is a leader in sustainability, and this new partnership is another example of how our airport remains on the cutting edge of every aspect of the passenger experience," she said. "I’m proud that Uber has chosen to bring this first-of-its-kind initiative to Phoenix, and I look forward to supporting this innovative partnership!"

Reach the reporter at Michael.Salerno@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter @salerno_phx.

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