Commuters and travelers alike will have to dig a little deeper into their pockets come this April when crossing the Tobin Bridge or taking a cab, shuttle, limousine or bus from Logan Airport.

The cost of driving over the Tobin will increase from $2 to $3, though the Massachusetts Port Authority announced last week that Fast Lane users will only pay $2.50.

In addition to the raise at the Tobin tolls, Massport also approved an increase in the fees charged to taxis, limousines, shuttle vans and buses that transport passengers to and from Logan Airport. Fees for taxis that are part of the pool at the airport will go up from $1.50 to $1.75 in April, and then increase again in April 2005 to $2.

The fare hikes mean that starting that month a person taking a cab from Logan into the city, through either the Ted Williams Tunnel or Sumner Tunnel, would pay a fee of $6.50 before the meter starts to run. The current base rate is $6. Cab fares at the airport were last increased in 1998.

The current increase is part of an effort to pay for road improvements around the airport and to maintain the cost of Logan taxi pools, Massport spokesman José Juves said.

“The purpose of raising cab fares at the airport is to pay for new roadways and the increased costs of operation,” Juves said.

The toll at the Tobin Bridge serves multiple purposes, Juves said. The first is for maintenance and improvements to the bridge. Massport plans to put an estimated $68 million into upgrading the Tobin through a variety of projects, including new signage. The second reason for the toll increase is to help Massport pay its share of the Big Dig project, Juves said.

He added that previous increases have not deterred travelers.

“In the past, there has been no change in passengers’ habits,” Juves said.

Those most affected by the increases – cab drivers and commuters – do not seem to think the increase will cause any significant changes to their current routines.

“I don’t think business will be effected that much, because they are only going up 50 cents,” said James Dorlles, a driver from Boston Cab.

Dorlles said that most people will not even notice the increase, but he added that some Boston residents who frequently take cabs to Logan might notice the fare hike.

“The tourists aren’t going to pay attention,” he said. “But maybe people leaving town will notice the difference.”

While the fare increases may not significantly affect business, they do make the trip home from the airport to campus even more costly for students. As a result of the fee hikes, several Boston University students said they will seek alternate means like the T to get to the airport.

“I may choose the cheaper option instead of taking a cab,” said College of Arts and Sciences senior Heidi Fransen.

On her way back to campus after semester break, Fransen elected to take the T back to her room in order to save money.

“I wasn’t going to pay around $30 for a ride to my room which is only eight miles away,” she said. “It’s less convenient, but the $30 you save could go a long way,” Fransen said.