By Kelly Bauer
DOWNTOWN — Uber and Lyft rides might get more expensive soon.
Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced Friday that she’s considering a tax hike for ride-hailing companies so travelers will turn to more environmentally friendly options like buses, cutting back on congestion. Uber and Lyft aren’t happy about the proposal, saying it’ll give Chicago the highest ride-hailing fees in the country.
“Using an evidence-based approach to combat our congestion challenges, Chicago is taking these first steps to improve mobility and further our goals of ensuring sustainable, affordable and reliable access to transportation options in every neighborhood,” Lightfoot said in a statement.
Under the proposal, the city would raise its Ground Transportation Tax from 60 cents per trip to $1.13 per trip for single riders, according to a news release from the Mayor’s Office. Single-rider trips going to or leaving from Downtown during peak hours — 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. weekdays — would cost an additional $1.75, while shared trips in the Downtown area would cost an additional 60 cents.