Passenger Fees for Rideshare and Taxi Services at Major Airports Across the US
Passengers taking Uber or Lyft to major airports across the US may have noticed additional fees added to their bills. These mandatory surcharges, which are often not disclosed to passengers, are meant to fund airport improvements and other projects.
Among these major airports, Nashville International Airport (BNA) stands out with one of the highest fees for rideshare passengers. The total roundtrip surcharge for rideshare and taxi services at BNA is $12, which includes a $5 fee for airport improvements and a unique $2 tax collected by the city of Nashville. This means that passengers traveling roundtrip at BNA are paying an extra $12 in city and airport taxes.
These fees are generating a significant amount of revenue, with BNA bringing in $14. 7 million in 2024, up from $8. 8 million in 2022. However, these fees also pose a burden for passengers, especially since the airport recently changed its policy for rideshare pick-ups, requiring passengers to walk for approximately five minutes from the ground transportation center to the terminal entrance.
Other major airports also have surcharges for rideshare services, but BNA’s additional $2 city surcharge puts it above the average. San Francisco International charges $11 roundtrip, while Los Angeles International Airport charges $8. New York’s LaGuardia charges $5 roundtrip, and Memphis International charges $4 roundtrip. Some airports, like Washington Dulles, Reagan National, and Detroit Metro, have a $10 surcharge, while Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport charges a $3. 85 pickup fee.
These surcharges have been rising in recent years, leading to pushback from rideshare companies. In response to BNA’s recent surcharge increase, Lyft stated that it will be felt by passengers who are trying to catch their flights or return home after a long day of travel.
In comparison, taxi surcharges are lower due to longstanding contracts and less usage by passengers. BNA has a $1. 50 roundtrip surcharge for taxis, in addition to the $2 city convention center charge.
So how is BNA using these surcharge funds? The airport claims that the funds go towards infrastructure and service enhancements, as well as ongoing expansion projects. These include a new rideshare holding lot, expanded sanitation services, enhanced security measures, and roadway improvements. BNA is also investing in a new Consolidated Rental Car Facility, a new parking garage, and an expanded Ground Transportation Center.
The $2 convention center fee for rideshare and taxi pickups at BNA was added in 2007 and is intended to exclusively fund the building and operation of the Music City Center. The Convention Center Authority uses these funds for capital needs and debt service for the $623 million center, which opened in 2013.
However, the convention center has come under scrutiny for its massive surplus revenue of approximately $485 million