Ridesharing App Lyft to Begin Pickups at LAX, Mayor Garcetti Announces
Rideshare company Lyft has officially been allowed to operate for both drop-offs and pickups at LAX this Wednesday, making it the first ride-sharing company to be approved in dropping off and picking up passengers at Los Angeles International Airport, Mayor Eric Garcetti announced yesterday.
"Tomorrow, we will have 'Lyft-off' at LAX, giving our passengers what they have been asking for, another safe and convenient way to get to and from the airport," Garcetti said in a statement. He also noted that almost every LAX's terminals were under renovation; despite that, the focus are still on passengers to have all the available options to ensure that they will have an excellent experience.
According to The Verge, the Los Angeles City Council decided to approve the license agreement which came out earlier this year to make way for transportation network companies to begin serving at LAX.
Ride-sharing companies that have completed the application process can work at the airport's arrival area. They will have a designated place allowed for them located at LAX's upper departure level. These companies have to pay the airport $4 per trip-a fee that will probably be passed along to their passengers. And should also follow the rules to reduce congestion in LAX's central terminal area.
Other companies are already at various states of their application process according to the Garcetti's office. Two of those companies are Opoli and Wingz. But in the meantime, as stated by LA Times, "Lift will be only ride-share company picking up at LAX during one of the busiest travel weeks of the year."
"We're really excited that L.A. travelers will now be able to get a Lyft ride to and from LAX," Lyft spokeswoman Chelsea Wilson said. She also added that the company is already excited to be the airport's exclusive ride-share option for travelers.
Bakari Brock, a senior director with Lyft, also wants to express his gratitude. "This is a big step forward for consumers, and we want to thank the Los Angeles World Airports Board of Airport Commissioners and Mayor Garcetti for their work to bring modern transportation options like Lyft to the airport," he said.
Uber, The Silicon Valley Company's main competitor, has still not yet received the go signal for its drivers to offer their services at the airport. Their spokesperson also did not return a request seeking comment on when their company would start to begin their operation at LAX.