Los Angeles airport considers Uber, Lyft passenger pickups

Uber and Lyft-which have extensive service in Los Angeles-have been unable to pick up passengers at the airport, due to tight restrictions by the city on access to the airport.

The transfer companies may be allowed to start serving LAX as early as next month if it is approved by airport officials and the Los Angeles City Attorney. If ultimately approved, LAX would be the largest airport in the country to allow the ride-hailing operations.

Under the new agreement, the permits of Uber or Lyft could be revoked with 30 days notice if any problems arise.

Koretz has expressed concerns that the agreement does not do enough to ensure the safety of passengers, questioning whether drivers’ backgrounds will be checked properly or if there will be enough insurance coverage. Karen V. Clopton, the commission’s chief administrative law judge, said Uber had not complied with state laws that require ridesharing companies to provide specific data to ensure they operate fairly throughout the state.

Under LAX’s new scheme, Uber and Lyft drivers would drop off and pick up passengers at a designed area on the airport’s upper departure level, paying the airport $4 each way, according to the Los Angeles Times.

Uber, however, has said it will appeal Wednesday’s recommendation.

The Los Angeles Times reports the proposal includes a digital “fence” that would tell the airport when a driver from one of the companies entered or left the terminal area.

“Ride-sharing is becoming popular in Los Angeles and we want to give LAX passengers the same transportation options that they have throughout our city”, Garcetti said in a statement.

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