Lyft starts LAX passenger pick-ups; Uber coming soon

Lyft has started passenger pick-ups at LAX. (Image: Los Angeles International Airport)

It’s been four months since the Los Angeles City Council approved ride-sharing app services like Lyft and UberX to pick up customers at Los Angeles International Airport, but this week — after long negotiations between those companies and regulators over licensing and permit requirements — Lyft finally started to handle arriving passengers at LAX.

UberX, which got a later start in the process, still isn’t authorized for airport pickups, although it is expected to begin soon.

Lyft agreed to pay the airport a fee of $4 for each passenger pick-up and drop-off at LAX. Those fees will be passed along to passengers. The airport designated a special parking area for Lyft drivers to use while they are waiting for a ride request. The pick-ups will be on LAX’s upper departures level.

As in other cities, the airport pick-ups in Los Angeles were bitterly opposed by taxi drivers. But city officials considered the ride-sharing services an important step forward. “As we continue rebuilding nearly every terminal at the airport, and work to bring rail to LAX, our passengers deserve access to all available options to ensure they have an excellent experience,” said L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti.

A ride from the airport to downtown L.A. on Lyft or Uber is expected to cost about $30 during non-peak periods, compared with $50 in a taxi.

Through January 1, Lyft is offering customers $5 off two rides to or from LAX when they enter code FLY2015 in the payment section of the app.

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