LAX Ride-Share Fees Could Double

The LA Board of Airport Commissioners is considering raising ride-share fees to combat traffic and fund upgrades, but this isn't the first time LAX has adjusted ground transportation policies. In 2015, LAX approved Uber and Lyft to operate at the airport, adding a $4 fee to rides. The current proposal includes a $6 base fee for all pick-ups and drop-offs at the airport, whether at the terminal or the new ground transportation center, and an additional $6 for direct access to the terminal curbs. These fees would also apply to taxis and limousines, which don't currently pay drop-off fees. The increase is tied to the opening of the Automated People Mover (APM), now branded as SkyLink, a 2.25-mile elevated train designed to shuttle passengers between terminals, a rental car center, and the Metro Rail. SkyLink's completion has been delayed and is now projected for the end of 2026. The total cost of the APM project has risen to $3.34 billion. Uber has already begun mobilizing users to oppose the fee hike, arguing that it would disproportionately affect travelers. Ten state lawmakers have also voiced opposition to the plan. The airport argues that its fees haven't been adjusted for inflation in a decade and are lower than other major airports. LAX officials estimate the increased fees could generate $100 million in the first year after SkyLink opens. The SkyLink is projected to eliminate 3,200 shuttle trips per day and reduce traffic in the central terminal area by 25-30%. LAX's modernization project, which includes SkyLink, is valued at $14 billion. The airport is also considering limiting ride-share pick-ups at the terminal curbs to 30% of all rides, diverting the remaining 70% to the LAX-it lot or new transit hubs connected to SkyLink. Drop-offs would see a reverse, with 70% at the curb and 30% at the hubs. In August 2023, LAX recorded approximately 26,000 ride-share vehicles using the airport's roadways each day, accounting for 27% of commercial traffic.