Port Authority Considers Charging Fee For Curbside Access To Airports
NEWARK, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- It might soon cost to pick up or drop off passengers at Newark, Kennedy and LaGuardia airports.
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey is exploring airport access fees as a way to deal with growing curbside congestion outside airport terminals.
The agency told NJ.com in an email that it is examining the fees in the wake of recent changes in passenger preferences that have altered vehicular traffic in front of terminals. There are more vehicles-for-hire, such as Uber and Lyft, using the front of the terminals as staging areas.
"The operations of For-Hire-Vehicles and taxis at our airports are evolving rapidly and we are in the early stages of review," the Port Authority said in a statement.
One New York taxi driver doesn't think the popularity of app-based taxi services will hurt his business.
"The people who's taking taxis, they're going to take a taxi anywhere," one taxi driver to 1010 WINS' Al Jones. "But there will be more expense."
A spokesperson for Uber said the company was not going to comment on the issue because it's not a proposal, CBS2 Christine Sloan reported.
The Port Authority said its airports -- including Newark, John F. Kennedy, and LaGuardia -- are among the few in the nation that don't charge access fees. But other airports around the country do, and car services usually pass the cost on to riders.
On Sunday, Dulles and Reagan National airports began charging a $4 access fee. The Port Authority has not put a dollar amount on any potential access fees.
One taxi driver believes it's only a matter of time before it starts in New York.
"That's it, it's all about money," another cab driver said.
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