According to an internal memo from the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, taking a taxi, Uber, Lyft or limo to and from a New York-area airport could soon cost an additional $4 per trip.
The proposal would add a curbside-access fee for pickups and drop-offs at John F. Kennedy International Airport, LaGuardia Airport and Newark Liberty International Airport. Those three airports are among the few major U.S. airports that currently do not charge such a fee. Similar access fees already exist at other large hubs, including Los Angeles International Airport and Chicago O’Hare International Airport.
Taxi drivers and industry advocates warn the extra charge could reduce ridership and lower driver tips. “The airport is maybe the most important source of income, especially for yellow cab drivers,” said Bhairvai Desai, director of the New York Taxi Workers Alliance. “If you’re charging $4 per ride, there’s no doubt that will affect ridership and, at a minimum, tips will come down.”
The Port Authority said revenue from the proposed fee would be directed toward airport improvements, citing plans such as a modernized taxi dispatch system and other operational upgrades. The fee would be levied on the vehicle operator and is expected to be reflected in passenger fares.
Industry reaction is mixed. Taxi representatives and a spokesperson for Uber criticized the proposal, arguing it would raise fares and further squeeze driver earnings. Lyft, by contrast, expressed support for the plan. An app spokesman, Adrian Durbin, said Lyft favors the fee because it would formalize an agreement ensuring the company can continue to operate at New York’s airports under defined terms.
At this stage, the curbside-access fee remains a proposal and has not been adopted as policy. Further review and public discussion are expected before any final decision is made.