Understanding Rider Prices in the Washington, DC Metropolitan Area

The price you pay for rideshare in Washington, DC, and the surrounding region is significantly impacted by state and city government-mandated taxes, fees, and surcharges. In recent years, the introduction of new rules and fees has led to increases in the price you pay to get around.

Because the region includes three different jurisdictions, some of the rules and fees can be confusing, so we want to walk you through them and explain the prices you’re experiencing.

WMATA surcharge
In 2018, DC implemented a 6-percent surcharge on all rides starting in the District of Columbia, including Uber Black, Uber Green, and UberX trips. A substantial portion of this fee is designed to go to funding the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, the region’s major transit system. This money does not go to the driver or Uber.

Airport Surcharge
For trips starting or ending at Reagan National Airport or Dulles International Airport, a $5 fee is applied. This fee is mandated by the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority and does not go to the driver or Uber.

Rideshare surcharge
Maryland allows local jurisdictions to apply an additional 25-cent surcharge on all rideshare trips beginning in those jurisdictions. Trips beginning in Montgomery and Prince George’s Counties include this 25-cent surcharge. This money does not go to the driver or Uber.

Proposed congestion surcharge
In addition to all of these fees and charges, the DC Council is proposing to place a $2 surcharge on every trip starting and ending in the downtown region between 7am-7pm, seven days a week. This $2 fee claims to address congestion; however, it would only apply to rideshare. The proposed fee would pay for overnight bus service in certain parts of the city. This money would not go to the driver or Uber.