Travellers at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) will no longer have the luxury of having taxis or ride-hailing services Uber and Lyft make pickups at airport terminals.
Effective November 1, rideshare pickups will be restricted to a new centralised facility dubbed “LAX-it,” located at the east end of Terminal 1.
Travellers can either walk or take a shuttle to the pickup area, which airport officials described as “convenient” and “amenity-rich.” Amenities will include rest rooms, benches, local food trucks, cellphone charging stations, wifi, and sun shades.
Rideshare drivers will still be permitted to drop travellers off on the departure levels of LAX’s terminals.
“Anyone who has come to LAX knows that traffic in the Central Terminal Area can get rough, and we have heard from our guests that the current system with ride pickups can be frustrating,” said Keith Wilschetz, deputy executive director for operations and emergency management for Los Angeles World Airports.
“LAX-it will provide an easy, efficient experience for guests using taxis and ride apps, and reduce overall traffic in and around the central terminal area for all those driving to and from LAX and our neighbours.”
Shuttles to LAX-it will pick up passengers every 3-5 minutes during peak travel hours.
LAX-it will remain in operation until the airport’s new Automated People Mover opens in 2023. The elevated train will connect LAX’s terminals with public transportation station and the airport’s rental-car facility; presumably, a new pickup area will be established somewhere along the train route.
