Memphis International Airport travelers are going to feel a little extra sting in their ride home. The airport's governing board has voted to double what taxis and ride-hailing services pay to pick up passengers at the terminal, with the higher fees set to kick in on April 1, 2026.
The Memphis-Shelby County Airport Authority signed off on the increase at a recent meeting, according to Daily Memphian. The decision targets pickups only, so drop-offs stay as they are, while the per-trip charge for taxis and app-based services such as Uber and Lyft will rise starting April 1, 2026.
How Riders And Drivers Will Feel It
Those extra airport charges rarely stay at the curb. Airport pickup surcharges are typically passed straight on to passengers through taxi meters and app receipts, meaning most riders can expect slightly higher fares once the new rate arrives, according to The Tennessean.
A survey of airport ground-transportation rules notes that per-trip access or privilege fees are a pretty standard tool in the industry, used to help control curbside congestion and bring in funding for airport projects, per the National Academies Press.
Where The Fee Change Fits Into MEM's Plans
This fee hike is not happening in a vacuum. Memphis International is already in the middle of a multi-year terminal and ground-transportation overhaul that includes plans to rework curb space and staging areas. As that modernization rolls out, both professional drivers and travelers are likely to notice new patterns in how traffic is routed in and out of the commercial lanes.
For passengers heading to or from MEM after April 1, checking the fine print on app receipts will be the easiest way to spot the higher pickup surcharge. Exact pass-through amounts will depend on each company's pricing choices, so riders are being nudged to consult their rideshare provider or taxi operator for details. The authority's vote and the implementation schedule were reported by Daily Memphian.
