Logan Hiking Fees for Cabs, Buses and Parking

Traveling to and from Logan International Airport - and parking there - could soon become more expensive for customers and employees.

The Massachusetts Port Authority board next Thursday will consider raising the daily parking rates for its central and Terminal E garages and the economy lot, in addition to increasing Logan Express rates and fees for taxis, limos and buses.

Economy parking would jump from $16 a day to $18, and from $96 a week to $108. Hourly rates for the three garages and the economy lot also would increase by $1 to $2, effective June 1.

Fees for taxis leaving Logan, which are passed on to customers, would rise by 25 cents to $2.25, effective July 1.

Taxi drivers say it will put a squeeze on their tips.

``Even though the rates are posted on the back of every taxi cab, people don't read it, so they think the driver is ripping them off,'' said Andrew Hebert, assistant manager at USA Taxi and publisher of the ``Rear View Mirror'' industry publication.

Taxi customers leaving Logan would face a $9 charge even before the cab pulls away from the curb: $2.25 for the minimum ``drop'' rate, $4.50 for tunnel tolls, and the $2.25 ground access fee.

Massport in 2004 tried to push through a $1 increase for taxis, but industry opposition led to a compromise 50 cent increase, split between 2004 and 2005. There was no increase last year.

Taxi owner/operator David Sandberg, a member of the Independent Taxi Operators Association, believes another increase could persuade some not to use taxis. ``Some people are going to say, `Hey maybe there's a different and better way I can get to the airport now,' '' he said.

But fees would also increase 25 cents to $3.75 for courtesy shuttle buses and $3.25 for limos with 15 or fewer passengers. Buses with more than 15 passengers, such as Greyhound or Trailways, would be subject to a 50 cent increase to $8.

Logan Express bus service is slated for July 1 rate increases, the first since 2003, primarily due to fuel costs, Massport business general manager Jack Hemphill said. Adult tickets would increase from $11 to $12 one way and from $20 to $22 roundtrip.

Logan employees also face increases for parking. Monthly rates would rise by $5 to $90 for the primary lot in Chelsea, $130 for the Logan parking lot and $65 for Logan Express parking.

The parking increases would help Massport pay for the recently completed $217 million central garage project and other renovations.

GRAPHIC:

Proposed Logan rate increases

FOR GENERAL PARKING (ON JUNE 1):

** Economy rate would jump from $16 a day to $18, and from $96 a week to $108.

** Hourly rates for the three garages and the economy lot also would increase by $1 to $2.

FOR LOGAN EMPLOYEE PARKING (ON JUNE 1):

** Monthly rates would rise by $5 to $90 for the primary lot in Chelsea, $130 for the Logan parking lot and $65 for Logan Express parking.

FOR CABS, SHUTTLES, LIMOS (ON JULY 1):

** Fees for taxis leaving Logan, which are passed on to customers, would rise by 25 cents to $2.25.

** Fees would increase 25 cents to $3.75 for courtesy shuttle buses and to $3.25 for limos with 15 or less passengers.

** Buses with more than 15 passengers, such as Greyhound or Trailways, would be subject to a 50 cent increase to $8.

FOR LOGAN EXPRESS (ON JULY 1):

** Adult tickets would increase from $11 to $12 one way and from $20 to $22 roundtrip.

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