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The case for — and against — hiking Uber and Lyft fees to Logan Airport
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Another frigid day is on tap, with gusts over 40 mph and wind chills in the negatives this morning. (Fortunately, it still won’t compare with what Mother Nature delivered to Mount Washington yesterday.)
Now, to the news:
Sky-high fees? Logan Airport set a record last year with 43 million passengers — and nearly 30% of them used a ride app like Uber and Lyft, according to airport officials. Now, as Massport plans infrastructure upgrades to accommodate the growing crowds, leaders want to make those rides more expensive, WBUR’s Andrea Perdomo-Hernandez reports. Here’s what to know:
- The plan: Currently, Massport charges Ubers and Lyfts a fee of $3.25 for each ride to and from Logan Airport — which is passed on in the fare you pay. The new proposal would increase that fee to $5.50 each way this July, and then to $7.50 in 2027.
- The case for it: Massport spokesperson Jennifer Mehigan says Uber and Lyft bring “millions of vehicles to Logan’s roadways” and they expect the volume to continue to increase. The higher fees are intended to pay for infrastructure projects like the Terminal E parking garage and electric vehicle chargers — and nudge people to use public transit. Mehigan also said ride app fees haven’t been raised in six years.
- The case against it: Uber spokesperson Josh Gold says the proposed fees — $15 per roundtrip — would be “ by far the highest in the world.” Given that Uber and Lyft have to drop off and pick up passengers in the parking garage at Logan (rather than the curb outside the terminal, like many other airports), Gold says riders would have a particularly “suboptimal experience.” And if more riders switch to having friends or family drive them, he said it could increase traffic around the airport. “ [It] would be bad news for our drivers, many of whom rely on airport trips as a cornerstone of their business,” Gold added.
- What’s next: Massport is expected to vote on the proposed fee increases as soon as their next meeting in March.
The heating bill is too darn high: Under pressure from Gov. Maura Healey and other lawmakers, the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities says it’s working with local natural gas companies to address skyrocketing heating bills this winter. WBUR’s Fausto Menard reports some Bay Staters saw their January bills jump 50% after DPU officials approved new rates in November.
- Why? Utility companies like Eversource and National Grid have blamed the spike on people using their heat more due to the cold, as well as higher delivery charges from an increase in residents opting into energy efficiency programs that offer rebates.
- Still, the outcry prompted Healey and a bipartisan group of 22 state senators to write letters to DPU officials urging the agency to reassess the rate adjustments and provide financial relief to natural gas customers. A DPU spokesperson said they will be “working directly with the gas companies over the coming days” on those potential revisions to “provide relief as soon as possible.”
On Columbia Point: While the JFK Library held its annual Presidents Day festival yesterday, it’s also expected to be a busy week across the street. The Edward M. Kennedy Institute is expanding its hours and hosting a dozen group tours today through Friday.
- Inside: The institute is dedicated to teaching the public about the inner workings of the place Ted Kennedy spent 47 years of his life: the U.S. Senate. It even includes the world’s only full-scale replica of the Senate chambers. And on Friday, it’ll host a talk between Oregon Sen. Ron Wyden and Jim Acosta. “ We hope folks will come anytime between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 21 to tour the institute and stay for the interesting conversation,” Adam Hinds, the institute’s CEO, told WBUR’s John Bender.
P.S.— Tickets are now on sale for The WBUR Festival this spring! And it’s got quite the guest list: Dr. Anthony Fauci, Michael Barbaro, Roxane Gay, Sam Sanders, Ina Garten, Ira Glass and many more. Check out the full lineup here — and mark your calendars for May 29-31. (Plus, keep an eye on the website as we announce more speakers.)
