Protectionism for Taxis at Logan Airport

In March,

the Massachusetts Port Authority revealed details of a plan to increase pickup fees for ride‐​hail trips from $3.25 to $5, and riders would have to pay the $5 to be dropped off at the airport. Massport would charge riders $2.50 if they agreed to share their Uber or Lyft ride.


Under the same plan, Massport would also require travelers to walk from the terminals to the airport’s central parking garage for pickups and drop‐​offs.

Crucially,

The changes would not apply to the taxi industry, which would still have direct access to the terminals.

The official justification is that Uber and Lyft create congestion at the terminals. That argument is unpersuasive: if congestion is a problem, any policy response should apply to taxis too.


These policies are indeed misguided and worth changing.