Thank you for flying through LAX. Attention to all passengers. The prices of Lyft and Uber rides around the Los Angeles International Airport are going to go higher, higher, higher – similar to Ally Brooke’s song – since the airport is preparing to modernize heavily for the much-awaited FIFA World Cup 2026, Super Bowl 2027 (the Roman numeral is yet to become announced official), and the Los Angeles 2028 Summer Olympics.
To ease LAX’s congestion
Airport congestion issues are serious around the globe, costing tourists their time that sometimes, they run late for their flight.
In the aim to ease the congestion around the airport, airport officials of LAX stated that this rate increase, as well as Skylink, will be implemented anytime soon.
The higher fees also come as the board plans to modernize the airport ahead of several sporting events, such as the FIFA World Cup 2026 happening in tri-countries, next year’s Super Bowl, and the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.
With up to 100,000 cars moving around the Los Angeles International Airport in a given day, the airport is clamoring to find better alternatives, and this was confirmed by David Reich, the deputy executive director for mobility strategy at Los Angeles World Airports.
The fee increase
Ridesharing apps like Lyft and Uber, as well as cabs and limousines, are required to obtain their permits and operating agreements from the airport, and pay a fee to access airport properties to pick up and drop off travelers.
Currently, these apps are paying a fee of $4 to pick up passengers at the airport and nothing to drop them off.
Under the latest terms, the proposed access fees for all drop-off and pick-up services with private transportation, including hailed rides, would increase up to $12 for the terminal area and $6 for the Skylink area.
Will travelers pay more?
Yes, of course. And, Uber’s officials have more.
“A 140 percent fee hike will directly impact riders and reduce demand for drivers who rely on airport trips,” then stated Danielle Lam, Uber’s head of California’s policy.
As for Lyft, they believe that LAX, once these changes are in place, will be the country’s more expensive airport for travelers availing of ridesharing.
However, there’s still a ray of hope, since airport officials pointed out that access fees are assessed to the companies, not drivers or customers, and added that LAX hadn’t increased its fees since the ridesharing apps started operating there.
Los Angeles Airport Commissioner Vanessa Aramayo clarified that this is not a tax as well.
“This is not something that the airport is putting on passengers or travelers,” she added.
Not even the airport’s management.
The fee increase will be effective when Skylink opens this summer. What are your thoughts? Share them by signing up for your account today on Ridesharing Forum!