As a taxi service in Boston, Massachusetts that serves both Logan and JFK airports, we know that many travelers are looking for ways to get around that won’t break the bank. With the rise of ridesharing apps like Uber and Lyft, many people assume that taking an Uber is always cheaper than a taxi. However, as recent research has shown, this is only sometimes the case, especially when surge pricing is factored in.
Christo Wilson, a lead researcher on Uber surge pricing and an assistant professor at the College of Computer and Information Science at Northeastern University, says, “it is immediately obvious that airports are special.” He argues that pricing algorithms at airports are “clearly different than anywhere else” thanks to the bursty traffic patterns and different regulatory regimes at each one.
Surge pricing is highly localized and moves quickly, sometimes every 100 seconds. Pricing often skyrockets at peak times, such as Monday mornings or Friday afternoons—or, even worse, at 2 a.m. after the bars close. But as several experts pointed out, it is especially hard to predict around airports.
So when Uber starts to surge from its baseline rate, there are three airports where a cab becomes the better option.
- At New York’s JFK Airport, the approximate cost of $63.80 for a cab is easily cheaper than a surging UberX, which costs $84 at a surge of 1.5x.
- A $22.80 cab from Boston’s Logan Airport is less expensive than an UberX, surging by 1.5x ($26.3).
- Taxis at New York’s LaGuardia airport cost an estimated $42 and are still cheaper than an in-demand Uber: $51.4 when surging by 1.5x.
In conclusion, while Uber is often cheaper than a taxi, surge pricing can make it more expensive in certain situations. As Boston to New york car service provider, our customers should have access to all the information necessary to make informed decisions about their transportation options. By understanding the factors affecting the cost of ridesharing and taxi services, travelers can choose the most cost-effectively for their specific needs.