Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) has struggled with congestion for decades, and officials are now considering a new plan that could raise transportation costs for travelers.
The airport’s Board of Airport Commissioners is preparing to discuss a proposal that would significantly increase the fees charged to Uber, Lyft, taxis and other commercial vehicles entering the airport.
If approved, the change could eventually push rideshare access fees as high as $12 per trip.
LAX’s long battle with congestion
Traffic congestion at LAX has been a problem for decades.
The airport has undergone multiple construction projects designed to improve traffic flow. One of the biggest changes came in the 1980s when a second level was added to World Way to separate arriving and departing traffic.
But over time, increased passenger traffic and more vehicles entering the airport have overwhelmed those improvements.
To help address the problem, LAX announced plans for an Automated People Mover (APM) system in the early 2000s. The project was officially approved in 2018.
However, the system has faced repeated delays.
As we reported previously, the APM’s opening has slipped from 2023 to 2025 — and now, according to the Los Angeles Times, it may not open until late 2026.
The proposed new rideshare fee
While the airport continues working on long-term traffic solutions, officials are also considering new fees aimed at reducing congestion and funding airport upgrades.
Under the proposal:
- Uber, Lyft, taxis and similar commercial vehicles would pay a $6 base access fee when entering LAX.
- Once the automated people mover begins operating, an additional $6 fee would apply for curbside pickups or drop-offs at terminals.
That would bring the total fee to $12 per trip.
The increase would represent a 140% jump from the current $5 fee.
Airport officials estimate the higher fees could generate about $100 million during the first full year.
Additional limits on pickups and drop-offs
The proposal also includes changes to the airport’s agreements with rideshare companies.
Under the amendment:
- No more than 70% of drop-offs could occur in the Central Terminal Area (CTA).
- Only 30% of passenger pickups could happen in the CTA.
These limits could push more passengers to use designated pickup zones outside the terminal area — potentially adding extra time and inconvenience for travelers.
Uber pushes back
Uber has already spoken out against the proposal.
Danielle Lam, Uber’s Head of Local California Policy, criticized the plan in a statement.
“A 140% fee hike with no transparency or public process is indefensible,” Lam said.
“Raising the LAX rideshare fee from $5 to $12 at the curb would punish travelers, working families, and seniors who depend on affordable, reliable transportation.”
Uber said it had requested meetings with members of the airport board and city council to try to find solutions that would improve airport traffic without significantly increasing costs for passengers and drivers.
Could LAX have the world’s highest rideshare fee?
According to Uber, the proposed $12 charge would make LAX one of the most expensive airports in the world for rideshare pickups.
The company says the average fee across major U.S. airports is about $4.24 per trip.
If LAX moves forward with the proposal, the fee would be nearly three times the national average, potentially making the airport “an extreme outlier.”
FAQ
Why does LAX charge Uber and Lyft fees?
Airports charge rideshare access fees to help manage congestion, fund infrastructure improvements and cover the cost of operating airport roadways and pickup zones.
Our take
The proposal has not yet been finalized, but if approved it could significantly increase the cost of getting to and from one of the world’s busiest airports. For travelers already dealing with LAX traffic, the change could add another expense to the journey.
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3 comments
LAX should just prohibit cars (with exception of taxis and ride shares). Personal vehicles should be parked off site with only bus or train (when that finally is available) for airport access. Just too congested and not getting any better. People don’t have to drive and park at the airport. There are alternatives
This isn’t what Uber and Lyft are saying at face value. Here’s what is going on. Right now with LAXit, there is not taxicab, Uber or Lyft (except for premium services and handicapped) pickup at LAX. You take a shuttle bus to LAXit. You can still be dropped off. When the people mover opens, there will be stations at a Intermodal Transfer Facility:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LAX_Automated_People_Mover
Here is where private vehicle pick/up drop off, rideshare, hotel shuttles, etc.. will pick up and drop off. LAXit goes away but the surcharge of $6 kicks in ALONG with a cap on the percent of drop offs (70 percent) and pick ups (30 percent) that can happen in the Central Terminal Area (CTA). The people mover will be free for everyone and was very expensive to build. It’s designed to take rental cars shuttles (which will be consolidated at another stop), hotel shuttles, charter busses, public transit trips, etc.. of the CTA roads. It’s not unusual, NYC airports like JFK and EWR don’t allow shuttle bus pick ups at their terminals, you have to ride the train to a designated station.
What is different with LAX is limiting private vehicle/taxi/TNC pick ups and drop offs. In an ideal world, the fee itself is variable based on demand and is used to limit congestion instead of the fee + a cap. Technology will already allow for license plate based tolls, which should be variable based on demand not fixed. The goal will be to keep the Central Area Terminal roads moving.
Just use the People Mover. Have a seat and you can read the Winds of Winter when it opens, since that book will come out first.