$15 ride-hailing fee proposed for Logan Airport

Massachusetts Port Authority may impose new fees for ride-hailing services at Logan Airport. On Wednesday, the board plans to discuss a proposed $15 round-trip fee for rides from Uber and Lyft. This fee would be the highest for such services globally. Last year, Logan Airport saw a record 43 million passengers. The number of trips to the airport has increased by over 7% this fiscal year. Nearly 30% of travelers now use ride-hailing apps. To manage the growing passenger numbers and fund infrastructure improvements, Massport is considering these fee increases. Many fees have not changed in years. Current ride-hailing fees were set in 2019, while other charges date back even further. Uber’s senior director, Josh Gold, argues that the proposed fees are unfair since personal vehicles can pick up passengers curbside without any fee. He believes that those who pay higher rates should also have better access. Massport officials explained that the fee increases aim to influence passenger behavior and raise funds for transportation projects at the airport. The board will meet Thursday morning to review these proposals at Massport's office in East Boston. Additionally, a new fee for cruise passengers will be introduced at the Flynn Cruiseport. Starting next year, the fee will be $3, gradually increasing to $15 by 2030, funding a $105 million project to improve the port.