LAX Raises Rideshare Fees to Push Rail Shift

LAX will triple rideshare fees from $4 to $12 for terminal pickups when new train opens

LAX Raises Uber, Lyft Fees to $12 When Train Opens

Uber and Lyft rides to Los Angeles International Airport will cost up to $12 more when the airport's new automated train system opens in summer 2026, officials said. The fee increases, approved by LAX officials, will charge $12 for terminal area pick-ups and drop-offs and $6 for Skylink area service, up from the current $4 pick-up fee. The changes aim to discourage rideshare usage and ease congestion as the airport transitions to rail-based transit access.

Context

The fee increases are tied to the opening of the Automated People Mover, a 24/7 train system that's been delayed multiple times since its original 2023 target date. The LAX/Metro Transit Center opened in June 2025, providing a rail connection to the airport, but the APM's launch has been pushed to the second half of 2026 due to an ongoing dispute over system maintenance between the city of Los Angeles and LINXS, the contracted operator. Airport officials said the higher rideshare fees will help shift travelers toward public transit options once the train system becomes operational.

Details

The APM will run on a 2.25-mile elevated guideway connecting six stations, including the LAX/Metro Transit Center, three terminal stations, economy parking, and the rental car facility. During peak hours from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m., trains will run at 2-minute intervals, officials said. The system's expected to serve approximately 30 million passengers annually and reduce vehicle miles traveled by 117,000 per day. Until the APM opens, shuttle buses operate on 10-minute intervals between the transit center and airport terminals.

Timeline

The fee increases will take effect when the APM opens in summer 2026, though the system has missed previous target dates of 2023, January 2026, and June 2026. Officials haven't provided a specific month for the summer 2026 opening or said whether the maintenance dispute with LINXS has been resolved. The current $4 pick-up fee remains in place until the new train system becomes operational.

Impact

Airport travelers using rideshare services will see costs increase substantially once the train opens, with terminal pick-ups and drop-offs tripling from $4 to $12. Officials said the higher fees are designed to encourage use of the new rail connection, which will offer frequent service at no additional airport-specific charge beyond standard Metro fares. Moovit provides real-time updates for LAX transit connections, including the Metro and upcoming APM service.