One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Uber And Lyft Will Be Able To Pick You Up From LAX Starting Next Month
Arrivals at LAX (Photo by ckramer via the Creative Commons on Flickr)
Finally, after being in the works for months and proposed in Mayor Eric Garcetti's State of the City, Uber and Lyft will be able to pick you up from LAX starting next month.
On Thursday, airport commissioners voted unanimously to approve allowing ride-sharing services' drivers pick you up from the airport. Pick-ups could begin as soon as late August, dependent on final approval by airport officials and the city attorney. According to the L.A. Times, the move would make LAX the largest airport in the country to allow the services.
Of course, whether Uber will be able to join the party is dependent on whether or not the service will still be allowed to operate in California by then. On Wednesday, a California judge recommended a $7 million fine and a suspension to be levied on the service.
In order to pick up or drop off customers at LAX, Uber and Lyft drivers will have to pay a $4 fee for each fare—a fee that will likely be passed on to the customers. Taxis already pay that fee for each pick-up.
Naturally, the decision comes with lots of opposition from taxi companies and their drivers, who say it's unfair that Uber and Lyft drivers aren't subject to the same level of regulation. "Supposedly, this would be a convenience for some travelers," said Councilman Paul Koretz, who has long been supported by taxi companies. "It certainly would be an improvement over the bad faith they now display by asking their customers to shuttle over to nearby hotels, where the drivers can get them without running afoul of [LAX] restrictions."
Under the new agreement, the permits of Uber or Lyft could be revoked with 30 days notice if any problems arise. City News Service says final approval would require a vote from the City Council.
One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
