Auto Rental News
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Ride Hailing Continues to Top Ground Transportation for Business Travelers

According to the Certify SpendSmart Report for Q1 2017, ride hailing now accounts for 59% of all ground transportation transactions. Car rental accounts for 31% of transactions while the taxi industry only takes 10%.

by Staff
May 17, 2017
Ride Hailing Continues to Top Ground Transportation for Business Travelers

Uber is the most expensed ride-hailing provider among U.S. business travelers at 53%, according to the Certify report. Photo courtesy of Uber.

2 min to read


Uber is the most expensed ride-hailing provider among U.S. business travelers at 53%, according to the Certify report. Photo courtesy of Uber.

In the first quarter 2017, ride-hailing Uber grew just 1% from the previous quarter but is still the most expensed ride-hailing provider among U.S. business travelers at 53%. Lyft gained an additional 2% to reach 10%.

According to the Certify SpendSmart Report for Q1 2017, ride hailing now accounts for 59% of all ground transportation transactions — car rental, taxi, and ride hailing. Car rental accounts for 31% of transactions while the taxi industry only takes 10%.

The SpendSmart Report analyzes the latest data and analysis of U.S. business travel expense spending trends.The data is collated based on transaction volume, not overall revenue in each category.

Looking at the ground transportation category year-over-year, car rental dropped 9% for the biggest decline since first quarter 2016, according to the report. Taxi lost 4% year-over-year. Uber saw a 10% growth while Lyft grew 4% in the last year.

For average cost per ride, the cost of the average taxi transaction has declined over the past year; it’s gone from $39.68 in Q1 2016 to $33.90 in Q1 2017, according to the report. Expenses for Uber and Lyft have remained flat year-over-year (Lyft: $23.53 to $24.36; Uber: $26.41 to $27.62).

When looking by city, New York and Chicago remain strong areas for taxis while Uber and Lyft battle for share in cities across the U.S. Uber saw its greatest gains in Miami, increasing 22%, according to the report.

More Rental Operations

globe of world and drivers license from UK
Rental Operations•September 28, 2026

The Booking Is Confirmed, But Is Your Customer Ready to Drive?

For international renters, a confirmed reservation doesn’t always mean they’re eligible to drive. Earlier checks can help operators catch documentation and payment issues before the customer reaches the counter.

Read More →
Scenes from Car Rental Shows past
Rental Operations•by Staff•September 23, 2026

ICRS 2027 Opens Call for Papers

The International Car Rental Show seeks session proposals on the business, operational, and technology issues facing car rental operators. Submissions are due Jan. 15.

Read More →
hand holding phone and Turo logo
Rental Operations•by Staff•September 21, 2026

Turo to Launch Vehicle Delivery Service

Turo Delivered will let travelers search for vehicles that hosts can deliver directly to hotels, homes, airports, train stations, and other locations.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
plane, palm trees, car rental sign
Rental Operations•by Chris Brown•September 15, 2026

Palm Beach Airport Code Change Creates Car Rental Distribution Gap

A test of rental searches under the old PBI and new DJT airport codes returned largely different sets of brands and vehicles, highlighting a potential distribution problem for rental operators.

Read More →
Team members of U-Save's new franchise
Rental Operations•by Staff•September 15, 2026

U-Save Continues Dominican Republic Expansion with Launch in Punta Cana

The new franchise location builds on U-Save’s existing Santo Domingo operation and will begin taking reservations for October 2026.

Read More →
A traveler searches for rental cars with an AI bot
Rental Operations•September 14, 2026

When AI Books the Rental Car, Who Controls the Sale?

As AI moves from comparing rental rates to completing transactions, operators need to understand how travelers find, interpret, rank, and ultimately see their offers. (Part 2 of 2.)

Read More →
Ad Loading...
map of europe and summer car rental rates
Rental Operations•September 11, 2026

European Booked Car Rental Rates Fell 5%, Results Varied by Country

Ireland, Cyprus, and the United Kingdom saw steep declines, while booked rates rose in Poland and Hungary.

Read More →
thumbnail of Chris Brown and Mike DeLorenzo with title Time to Rethink Rental Categories?
Rental Operations•by Chris Brown•September 8, 2026

Is It Time to Rethink Rental Categories?

As traditional economy and compact cars disappear from the market, longtime rental operator Mike DeLorenzo asks whether the industry’s familiar vehicle categories still make sense — and what operators need to rethink along with them.

Read More →
Woman receiving car rental rates on computer from AI agent
Rental Operations•September 1, 2026

Who Owns the Rate? AI Is Creating a New Distribution Problem for Car Rental

Generative Engine Optimization asks whether AI can find a rental company, but operators also need to know whether the agent inspected enough of the market, compared equivalent offers, and presented a rate the traveler can actually book. (Part 1 of 2)

Read More →
Ad Loading...
map of globe with regional corporate car rental rates
Rental Operations•by Staff•August 25, 2026

U.S. Business Travel Car Rental Rates Forecast to Rise Up to 2%

Improved fleet supply should limit pricing gains in 2026-27, while insurance, repair costs, and softer residual values continue to pressure rental operations, according to Amex GBT.

Read More →
Ad Loading...