Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) has opened LAX-it, a centralized area for guests to pick up a taxi or ride-hailing service. The airport says the area will help reduce the number of vehicles in the Central Terminal Area (CTA) and help free up scarce curb space during major construction at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).
LAX-it is only for pickups for taxis, Uber, Lyft, and Opoli. Ride-hailing apps and taxi drivers will continue to drop off passengers at the terminal curbs on the upper/departures Level.
“Construction of the Automated People Mover train and stations is beginning in the Central Terminal Area and LAX-it is needed to relieve the pressure of construction impacts that would make traffic unbearable if nothing were done,” Keith Wilschetz, deputy executive director for operations and emergency management, said in a statement.
LAX-it Pickup, Drop-off Locations
Arriving airport guests no long have to go upstairs to find their ride app driver. LAX-it is located on the lower/arrivals level just east of Terminal 1, at the corner of World Way and Sky Way, and is accessible by either a short walk from many terminals or via a dedicated shuttle from seven designated locations in the CTA.
The LAX-it shuttles now operate in a dedicated lane on the lower/arrivals level where they will not compete with other airport traffic and will take guests from any terminal to the new pickup area. Shuttles come every three to five minutes during peak hours. Shuttle routes are either nonstop, or will stop only one additional time after guests board before heading to LAX-it. Staff will be stationed at each stop to assist guests.
The new shuttles and LAX-it are designed with people with disabilities in mind and go beyond regulatory compliance to be ADA-friendly. Additionally, crosswalks at the pickup lot are built at grade, restrooms allow for easy access without ramps and an adult-changing station is available on site. For more information on accessibility, click here.
Changes to Personal Vehicle, Commercial Shuttle Pickup, Drop-Off
To accommodate the new dedicated bus lane, the traffic pattern on the lower/arrivals level changed simultaneously with the LAX-it opening at 3 a.m. on Tuesday. Private vehicles no longer have access to the inner lanes, which are reserved for LAWA-operated shuttles and FlyAway buses. New passenger pickup areas are being designated along the lower level outer commercial island, and include number/level combinations on the columns to assist motorists in locating guests.
