Los Angeles International Airport will significantly expand its new “LAXit” pick-up lot for rideshare vehicles and taxi after a chaotic rollout last week.
One week ago, LAX banned taxi, Uber, and Lyft from picking up passengers curbside at LAX. The move was aimed at reducing congestion, which will only worsen as the airport embarks upon a new four-year “People Mover” project. That project will result in the closure of much curb space, although eventually result in what officials hope will be a far less-congested airport experience.
> Read More: Will “People Mover” Fundamentally Change LAX?
> Read More: LAX Automated People Mover Pictures
But for now…and for the next four years…traffic may be worse than it ever has been. When airport officials took over part of the Park ‘n’ Fly lot to create “LAXit” (pronounced “L.A. exit”), they underestimated demand. Even as Uber and Lyft move toward a taxi-like approach of hopping into the next available car versus matching riders with specific drivers, wait times for a taxi have exceeded one hour during busy periods…plus the time of taking a shuttle or walking to the new pick-up lot.
LAX Will Expand “LAXit” Lot
To help reduce wait times, LAX will expand the size of the lot this week by 50%. Starting Wednesday at 3:00AM:
- Lyft will move into a new expanded pick-up area
- Uber will remain in the same place and take over Lyft’s former pick-up area
- Taxis will have additional space to pick-up passengers
One airport official told the LA Times this move was a “pre-planned contingency to allow quick response to changed traffic patterns and behaviors.”
CONCLUSION
Despite a rough rollout, it appears airport officials are serious about reducing wait times. We’ll see if an expanded “LAXit” solves the crowding problem or merely makes it just a tad more bearable.
> Read More: An Angeleno’s Reaction To Uber’s Curbside Ban At LAX
> Read More: A Disastrous Debut For New LAX Rideshare Pick-Up Lot
Must . . . protect . . . the . . . taxi . . . cartel . . . at . . . all . . .costs.
Interesting that these changes have helped taxis, which have had far lesser waiting times despite also being moved offsite.
The idea is to handicap Uber/Lyft enough to make a taxi attractive by comparison. A taxi need not be “convenient” in absolute terms, but only on the margin.
Of course, if corrupt politicians weren’t interested in transferring wealth from its citizens to its political patrons in the taxi cartel, there would be a Metro station right in the middle of the LAX parking lot as originally conceived.
Friend, if you really think a few thousand immigrants who drive yellow cabs are a powerful cabal and that a $100 billion company backed by Goldman Sachs, Jeff Bezos, and Softbank is a scrappy underdog… I guess I don’t know what to tell you except that maybe it’s time to reevaluate what media you’re consuming?
But as regards LAXit: wouldn’t you expect this move to be bad for traditional taxis, as it removes their primary competitive advantage– that they’re already lined up at arrivals?
The immigrant drivers are not the “powerful cabal”. It’s the people who own the taxi tokens and companies.
Can’t wait until it rains this winter. the 6 green umbrellas per side will keep everyone dry.
LOL…..I thought the same. And I’ve been at LAXit at noon, the sun isn’t much fun either. I guess no one ever thought of using double polycarbonate or pergola……huh?
Curious how a driver decides whether to get into the Uber line or Lyft line. Does one pay more typically?