You Can Now Lyft or Uber Your Way from the Airport

By Jules Suzdaltsev

As the battle for hired transportation dominance rages between taxi drivers and app-based car service companies like Uber, Lyft, and Sidecar, a recent agreement with San Francisco International Airport finally allows ridesharing cars the same level of access at airport pick-up and drop-off zones that taxis currently enjoy. As reported by SF Gate, SFO became the first airport in the country on Monday to agree to such an arrangement with both Lyft and Uber, following last week’s announcement that Sidecar would be authorized to provide airport service.

Back in June, ridesharing companies were warned by the California Public Utilities Commission that they had two weeks to cease airport runs, on the basis that the rules about safety and insurance set out by regulators were being violated. Additionally, the CPUC was concerned that while taxis and limousines are required to have a permit issued by SFO, the rideshares were skirting this requirement, and taking up valuable, paid for, space. In essence, before this new agreement was drafted, drivers were considered to be “trespassing” on SFO property.

Of course, the car companies are not the only ones benefiting from this new deal, as SFO will receive $3.85 per trip, comparable to what taxis currently pay, which explains why trips to the airport always involve a hefty surcharge. The additional source of income has been attractive to other airports as well, including the Nashville International Airport in Tennessee, which drafted a similar, but exclusive, deal last month with Lyft.

In a blog post, Uber celebrated the victory, and encouraged the rest of the country to follow suit, saying, “For other airports looking to welcome people into their cities, manage the curbside chaos, and ensure safe and reliable transportation options without hassle, this SFO-Uber partnership will be a great model.” Additionally, Uber and Lyft’s shared rides programs, Uber Pool and Lyft Line, are also part of the new deal, however for some reason, Sidecar’s are not.

Either way, it’s certainly a massive win for the highly lucrative permit contract usually dominated by taxis, and shows that, like it or not, competition for the road is facing fewer and fewer obstacles in San Francisco.

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Image from Thinkstock, via SFGate