By Jenn Stanley.
Los Angeles officials have voted to allow some ride-hailing companies to service Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). L.A. is now the largest city to allow Uber and Lyft full airport access. Officials said that if the companies are quick to implement the airport’s rules, Uber and Lyft rides from the airport could be a reality as soon as September.
Earlier this week, a California judge ordered Uber to pay $7.3 million for not providing certain data to the state, and suggested a statewide operations suspension for the company.
Though the L.A. approval might be great news for Uber fans, Southern California’s licensed cab and limousine drivers are less than thrilled. They had been fighting to keep the ride-service giants away from LAX.
According to the Los Angeles Times:
But William Rouse, the general manager of Yellow Cab of Los Angeles and the president of the Taxicab, Limousine & Paratransit Assn., said the commission’s action missed “a major opportunity to protect the public and level the playing field.” The airport’s limited entrance points give city regulators a unique opportunity to enforce strict background checks and insurance policies, which he said the commission failed to address.
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