Rideshare companies such as Uber and Lyft will have to pay a $3.50 surcharge to pick up riders at the Martha’s Vineyard Airport this year.
Rideshare companies such as Uber and Lyft will have to pay a $3.50 surcharge to pick up riders at the Martha’s Vineyard Airport this year.
The airport commission voted to implement the new fee Thursday. The move comes after state legislation passed last year to create more equity between rideshare companies and traditional taxis.
Pickup fees will apply for any rides beginning on airport property, including the business park, said airport properties manager Kevin Brennan, and the agreements had recently been sent out to the two companies.
Cab companies operating at the airport wanted to see a more even playing field and Mr. Brennan said those operators were “very thankful” for the new charges.

Comments
Where does this money go
Dean OBWhere does this money go exactly? We shouldn’t be charging taxis or Ubers fees…
It never stops…I can see landing fees etc…
I am going walk over to the laundry mat or one of the business to avoid the fee… just saying
Have a nice walk. Doesn't
David OBHave a nice walk. Doesn't work too well for seniors, those with luggage, or having kids in tow. A rainy day? You'll be soaked. And I'm sure the laundromat owners will be thrilled. But you did save $3.50.
Dean it says the charge will
Todd, EdggartownDean it says the charge will be added anywhere on Airport property. So going to the laundromat won’t work.
I’m against this sort of
Bill EdgartownI’m against this sort of interference with capitalism. Where will this $3.50 go? Never mind. $3.50 still will not get me into one of those crappy island cabs.
Follow up on fee seems likely
George Stein OBFollow up on fee seems likely. Who approved it ? Not all Island cabs are crappy. Very few of any. Fee should be placed on dogs being brought into cab.
Equity amongst taxi and ride
Michael EdgartownEquity amongst taxi and ride share? Everyone dreads the taxi vans. You get into one with strangers going in all directions; before you know it, what should have been a 20min ride turns into an hour because taxis drops other riders first. There’s no comparisons to taxis and rideshare companies on this island. This is a bogus fee.
This does nothing, but
Eric Vineyard HavenThis does nothing, but continue to sour the relationship between the airport managers and the flying public. Doesn't the airport make enough money on fuel sales, landing fees and charging high rents in their business park ? The fee won't level the playing field either. Ride share fares on average are lower than taxis leaving the airport.
What about the airport's refusal to address the traffic congestion at the Terminal ?
Like adding another vehicle lane to move cars along ? The land in front is mostly dead grass, covering up the buried toxic waste from the old laundromat anyway.
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