Los Angeles: this is not a drill. In December, Lyft became the first official ride sharing service to legally pick up passengers at LAX, but now Uber is getting in on the fun.
That's right, starting Thursday at 8am, you can catch an Uber from the airport... legally, that is.
Uber has become a life-saver for Angelenos since it first offered its affordable, fast and convenient services. But since nothing so incredible can exist without controversy, the company has fallen under intense scrutiny due to people questioning safety issues concerning the relatively un-vetted drivers, and whether the company should be allowed to disrupt the transportation industry.
Finally, last summer, LA officials announced that companies such as Uber and Lyft would apply for permits to include service to airports. Lyft was approved first, and in its first two weeks of service from LAX, it gave more than 50,000 people rides from the airport, according to LAX officials.
Like Lyft, Uber's new service will be available at signs marked "ride service" on the upper departures level. LAX is requiring the ride services to pay at least $25,000 per month. The additional fees are passed along to the passengers.
"We're very excited to play a part in simplifying and modernizing the LAX experience," Uber's general manager Christopher Ballard told the LA Times. "As with any airport negotiation, it’s a very extensive process. A lot of work went into this on both sides of the aisle."