Rep. Gregory J. Costantino (D-Dist. 44, Lincoln, Smithfield, Johnston) plans to introduce legislation this week that would limit the fees T.F. Green Airport charges Uber drivers to $3.
The ride-sharing service announced last week that it would no longer pick up passengers at the airport after officials raised the fees it charges Uber drivers from $3 to $6. The Airport Corporation made the move after revenue from rental cars and long-term parking fees began to decline due to the popularity of the service.
“Once again, Rhode Island is nickel-and-diming its citizens,” said Representative Costantino. “The Airport Corporation is sending a bad anti-business message by raising these fees, forcing a popular ride-sharing service to pull its services at the state’s transportation hub — inconveniencing travelers. That’s going to leave a bad impression of Rhode Island on those people who come to the state on business.”
Uber moved its airport pickup operations off the property onto nearby Post Road.