LAX to end curbside pickup for taxi, ride-hailing passengers
Los Angeles is the latest airport to move taxi and ride-hailing pickups away from the terminal curbside in an effort to fight congestion.
Beginning Oct. 29, all taxi, Lyft, Uber and other ride-hailing pickups will move to the new "LAX-it" lot, a dedicated pickup space adjacent to Terminal 1 at the airport. Passengers will have the choice between taking a dedicated shuttle bus from the arrivals level of each terminal, or walking to the new lot to catch their rides.
The new LAX-it lot will feature food trucks, charging stations and restrooms for travelers while they wait for their rides, a presentation by LAX operator Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) showed.
Passengers arriving at LAX by taxi, Lyft or Uber will still be dropped off at the curbside in front of their respective terminal.
LAX hopes the move will combat worsening congestion on the roadways leading to and within LAX's Central Terminal Area, as well as improve the travel experience, LAWA deputy executive director of operations and emergency management Keith Wilschetz told TPG.
"If you look at the time it takes when you order your [ride-hailing] vehicle until you get out of the Central Terminal Area mess, it's better with this system," he said. By LAWA's estimate, a 30- to 35-minute trip leaving LAX could be reduced to as little as 20 minutes with the new LAX-it lot.
The move is also viewed as just a temporary measure until LAX's new Automated People Mover, including a new transportation center east of the terminals, opens in 2023. Asked if taxi and ride-hailing pickups will move back to the terminal curbside at that time, Wilschetz said no decision has been made.
Related: LAX Counts Down to Midfield Concourse Opening in 2020
LAX is just the latest airport to move some pickups away from terminals. The combination of rising traveler numbers — a record one billion passengers passed through U.S. airports last year according to the Department of Transportation — and more people using ride-hailing services to or from the airport has seen congestion spike.
On the worst traffic days, it can take a vehicle up to 45 minutes to get into and around the Central Terminal Area at LAX, said Wilschetz.
"Many airports across the United States are experiencing increased congestion at the curb because of new and emerging shifts in how people get to and from the airport," said Airports Council International-North America (ACI-NA) spokesman Scott Elmore.
San Francisco (SFO) moved all rideshare pick ups to its central parking garage from the curb in June. One traveler, speaking about the move with the The New York Times in August, said the change "made catching a ride more efficient, though it does involve a longer walk from the gate."
Boston Logan (BOS), Nashville (BNA) and New York LaGuardia (LGA) are among other airports that have made similar changes to at least ride-hailing pickups.
The pickup changes planned by LAX do not come without criticism. Many are flagging the fact that most travelers will need to take a shuttle bus to the lot, whereas other airports that have made similar changes moved pickups in centralized areas that are walkable from their terminal buildings.
Wilschetz, responding to the criticism of LAX's plan, said new roadway restrictions that go into effect on Oct. 29 will make the buses quicker and more efficient. On the arrivals level, the two interior lanes closest to the terminal will be dedicated just to buses, with all other vehicles relegated to the outer lanes. This change is expected to speed the new LAX-it shuttles.
In addition, each shuttle will make only up to two stops before returning to the LAX-it lot, added Wilschetz.
Passengers also have the option of walking to the new taxi and ride-hailing pickup area. LAWA estimates the walk is as short as three minutes from Southwest Airlines' home in Terminal 1, to up to 19 minutes from American Airlines' Terminal 4.
Travelers in need of extra assistance, for example those in wheelchairs, will have to meet their taxi or ride-hailing pickup at the LAX-it lot, said Wilschetz. However, every shuttle bus will be fully compliant with the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) and, for those who do not want to share the shuttle, dedicated ADA shuttles will be available upon request, he added.
LAX is in the midst of a major building spree that will see much of the terminal area change over the next decade. In addition to the people mover, a new midfield concourse will open west of the Tom Bradley International Terminal next year; renovations and expansions of Terminals 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 are underway; and the airport is studying the possibility of a new Concourse 0 and Terminal 9 east of the existing complex.
Related: Get the latest aviation news delivered right to your in-box with the TPG newsletter
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.