Taking a taxi, Uber, Lyft or limo to or from a New York area airport could soon cost you US$4 more per trip, the New York Daily News reports.
An internal memo from the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey outlines a plan to hike the fees on airport pick-ups and drops-offs at JFK International, LaGuardia International and Newark International. The fee is similar to those charged at several other large airports in the US, including Los Angeles International and Chicago O’Hare.
A Port Authority official told the newspaper that the revenues from the fees would be used for airport improvements, such as a new taxi-dispatch system.
Representatives for the New York taxi industry and Uber criticised the proposal, saying it would add to already hefty cab fares charged to passengers and cause a reduction in tips for drivers. However, a Lyft spokesperson said the plan could benefit the ride-sharing industry by legitimising ride-sharing operations at New York airports.
The new fee is still a proposal, not policy, a Port Authority spokesperson said.
