Orlando International Airport Raising Fees for Rideshare Services

It’s probably not the trickle-down theory you want to hear.

Orlando International Airport officials informed ride-share service Uber about higher passenger pick-up fees.

MCO is now the most expensive place in the country in which to take a rise-sharing service to and from the airport.

"It's already high to be quite honest," said rideshare passenger George Mack, who was visiting Orlando from Maryland.

The price is expected to go up 20 percent by October.

"It's a 20 percent increase. This is going to have a negative impact on both Uber drivers and Uber riders because they're going to be paying more and that could have a negative impact on the earnings for drivers," said Uber spokesperson Javi Correoso.

The increase, however, is expected to be a boon for things like hotel shuttles and other ride-sharing services. Greater Orlando Aviation Authority CEO Kevin Thibault said the authority could change the rate whenever it wanted.   

"This is an issue that was negotiated and resolved when the operating agreement was signed in July of 2017, and we are not renegotiating it," he said. "These fee increases were already approved by the authority board in September 2022 and there is no reason to bring them back to the board."

Tom Jelneck, a consumer advocate, said the higher Uber prices might trickle down to other forms of transportation. "Taxi cabs aren't cheap, either,” he said. “Consumers are just going to have to start making decisions about what's the easiest way to get out of here and get to my hotel or get home."

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