Uber, Lyft riders pay new fee for airport pickup

ATLANTA — Ride-share services Uber and Lyft can now legally pick up customers at the Atlanta airport, but it will cost customers an extra fee.

As of Jan. 1, riders will pay a $3.85 “Airport Fee” each time they are picked up from the airport. The new agreement also changes where riders will be picked up.

Drivers can no longer pick up their riders upstairs outside baggage claim. Instead, they have to meet on the airport’s lower level.

The new agreement was approved by the Atlanta City Council in September. Prior to that, drivers were not allowed to legally pick up at the airport, although many of them did.

“Everybody did it. We just kind of kept it on the down-low,” driver Brian McCann said.

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McCann now has a new permit allowing him to pick up riders. He said many people don’t know about the changes, and it is frustrating for riders. He said he’s gotten several angry phone calls from riders who do not know they must now be picked up on the lower level.

“People get aggravated, but I mean, we’ll get over it. It’s gonna take a while,” he said.

Channel 2’s Tyisha Fernandes spoke to several riders Monday who had no idea about the changes.

“All the sudden there’s a surcharge, which I’m kind of surprised about, so I’d like to know more information about where that money is going to,” rider Steve Summer said.

The airport says the surcharge includes the $1.50 fee that everyone has to pay to be picked up from the airport, including taxi cab passengers.

The rest of the money is a security surcharge, which also goes to the airport. Officials say that money will be used for new technology and new vehicles for officers.

“I think it’s stupid. It just doesn’t make sense. I think they’re trying to discourage those of us who use Uber to not do it, and maybe take a taxi instead, but this is much more convenient than a taxi,” rider Connie Stewart said.

Taxi companies fought the agreement before city council members approved it. They believe this will put them out of business.

Cox Media Group