Airfares have been climbing for months, and now taxi fares are following suit.
New York City’s Taxi and Limousine Commission approved a price hike on Thursday that will increase the amount it costs travelers to get to and from some of the country’s largest airports.
The fixed price to get from Manhattan to Kennedy International Airport will jump from $45 to $52, while the surcharge on rides from Manhattan to Newark Liberty International Airport will go from $15 to $17.50. Around the city, taxi fares will go up by an average of 17%.
Advocates from the Taxi and Limousine Commission say the price hikes are necessary to adjust for inflation and rising fuel prices, however travelers on the FlyerTalk forums question how much more frequent fliers are going to take before they start exploring other airport transportation options. “Is there any other city where the cost of cabs vs. public transit are so disproportionate,” asked FlyerTalk member CMK10. “…The MTA just got even more cost effective.”
FlyerTalk member newyorkgeorge echoed that sentiment, and wondered whether the taxi price hike might encourage business travelers to explore transportation alternatives, like Hertz’s “On Demand” rental cars, which can be rented by the hour and dropped off at Hertz’s airport-based rental facilities at Kennedy, Newark, and LaGuardia airports. “Sure it adds another 15 minutes to my trip, but it costs me $30+ dollars less,” explained newyorkgeorge. “On the whole, at what points does increased fare inhibit ridership.”
Still, not everyone is convinced that a 17% fare hike will be enough to dissuade frequent business travelers from using taxicabs and car services for their airport transfers. “Time is money and I can get more done in a descent car service to/from JFK than the cost by a significant factor,” wrote FlyerTalk member Often1.
How about you? Are you more likely to take public transportation to and from the airport as a result of the new fare hike? Tell us in the comments.