BUFFALO, N.Y. -- NFTA executives say fees proposed to ride-hailing companies are necessary to keep the airport operating. Lyft agreed to pay the NFTA $3 per ride and Uber agreed to an $180,000 contract for one year.
The NFTA says they determined the fee rate after doing extensive research.
NFTA Executive Director Kimberley Minkel says the Buffalo Niagara International Airport is self-sufficient, meaning it only operates on the revenue it generates.
Fees will ensure the airport is fully-functional even if other revenue is lost due to ride-hailing.
"It's an important service. We want to provide transportation options for folks who use the airport,” said Minkel. “We think it's a wonderful service. It's just too early for us to tell what the financial impact will be."
Legislator Joseph Lorigo wrote a letter to the NFTA weeks ago, saying his main concern was whether or not the fees would be passed on to customers. Minkel says they'll reevaluate the fees and revenue impact after the first year of the contract.