NEW ORLEANS (NEXSTAR) — Navigating New Orleans can be a challenge on a normal day, but with the Super Bowl expected to draw as many as 125,000 visitors, the city’s streets will be even busier. Rideshare drivers are gearing up to descend on The Big Easy, aiming to capitalize on the influx of tourists.
While rides across the city on platforms like Uber and Lyft are typically budget-friendly, prices are predicted to soar as game day nears. Uber’s past practices suggest additional fees may also come into play. For instance, during last year’s Super Bowl at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Uber implemented a surcharge of $10-$25 on trips starting or ending at the venue, with 100% of those fees going to drivers.
With the large crowds expected in New Orleans, riders should brace for higher fares and longer wait times, especially during peak demand times and post-event departures. Uber estimates thousands of ride requests after the game, likely triggering surge pricing to match the demand.
At past Super Bowls, post-game rides cost riders as much as $200. For the most part, it appears they average out at about $100.
At the 2023 Super Bowl in Glendale, Arizona, Uber reported that its drivers earned 33% more per hour on game day compared to a typical Sunday, a trend likely to continue in New Orleans.
However, drivers making bank doesn’t always happen before Super Bowl weekend. Last year, 8NewsNow spoke with rideshare drivers in the days leading up to the Super Bowl who said they weren’t giving many rides because there were more drivers in town than demand.
Source: Fox 8 News Channel