LAWA WELCOMES “REMATCH” FUNCTIONALITY TO LAX; UBER AND LYFT GET GREEN LIGHT TO REDUCE AIRPORT TRAFFIC AND FURTHER IMPROVE THE GUEST EXPERIENCE

             (Los Angeles, California – August 28, 2017)  As part of continuing efforts to further reduce traffic at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) officials have authorized Transportation Network Companies (TNCs) Uber and Lyft to implement “Rematch” functionality for their drivers operating at LAX.  The feature allows TNC drivers who are concluding drop-off trips in the Central Terminal Area (CTA) to immediately pick up new passengers following drop-off and start a new trip.  Rematch allows two trip transactions to occur within one circuit of the CTA, increasing the number of passengers who can be picked up during a single circuit.  This differs from the standard operating procedure of drivers performing only a single pick-up or drop-off per CTA circuit trip.  LAX officials anticipate that this will positively affect traffic congestion by reducing the number of overall vehicle trips made into the CTA, and no actions are required on the part of LAX guests to benefit from Rematch functionality.

            “Traffic reduction is an essential part of improving the guest experience at LAX, and Rematch offers a new way to further reduce the amount of traffic in the CTA,” said Keith Wilschetz, LAWA Deputy Executive Director for Operations and Emergency Management.  “For the past month, Lyft and Uber have been fine-tuning Rematch ahead of the Labor Day weekend to ensure that our guests have the best experience they can in their travels to and from LAX, and we’re encouraged by the initial results. We thank them both for their continued commitment to pursue innovations like Rematch, and look forward to what they have in store for the future.”      

"Lyft is committed to improving people's lives with the world's best transportation. As part of that mission, we're excited to work with LAX on this program, which will reduce congestion, improve the passenger experience, and help drivers maximize their earnings."

            Rematch works by increasing the number of persons who can be picked up during a single TNC driver’s trip into LAX.  Under regular TNC operating policies, TNC vehicles can enter the CTA only to pick-up or drop-off passengers, but not both.  For TNC companies authorized to use Rematch technology, following a drop-off trip, TNC drivers may see a Rematch notification informing them of a passenger pick-up before exiting the CTA. If there is no Rematch notification, then the driver will exit the terminal area following his/her drop-off.  Rematch requests will only be issued within the CTA, and only to vehicles with confirmed drop-offs. 

Uber and Lyft drivers may pick up passengers at five locations designated on the airport’s Upper/Departures Level only at locations designated by capital “A” through “E” letters for ease of visibility.  Additionally, TNC drivers are not permitted to remain in the CTA in order to reduce congestion.

Lyft began operations at LAX in December 2015, with Uber following in January 2016. Both TNC operators pay LAWA a fee of $4 per pick-up or drop-off at the airport. This fee is similar to fees paid by other airport transportation providers, and pays for roadway maintenance and other traffic reduction measures in and around LAX.

About Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)

           LAX is the fourth busiest airport in the world, second in the United States, and was named one of Skytrax’ 2017 Top 10 Most Improved Airports.  LAX served more than 80.9 million passengers in 2016.  LAX offers 737 daily nonstop flights to 100 cities in the U.S. and 1,386 weekly nonstop flights to 88 cities in 44 countries on 73 commercial air carriers.  LAX ranks 14th in the world and fifth in the U.S. in air cargo tonnage processed, with more than 2.2 million tons of air cargo valued at over $101.4 billion.  LAX handled 697,138 operations (landings and takeoffs) in 2016. 

An economic study based on 2014 operations reported LAX generated 620,600 jobs in Southern California with labor income of $37.3 billion and economic output (business revenues) of more than $126.6 billion. This activity added $6.2 billion to local and state revenues and $8.7 billion in federal tax revenues.  The study also reported that LAX’s ongoing capital-improvement program creates an additional 121,640 annual jobs with labor income of $7.6 billion and economic output of $20.3 billion, $966 million in state and local taxes, and $1.6 billion in federal tax revenues.

            LAX is also the second most popular airport in the world to appear on Instagram according to wego.com. LAX is part of a system of two Southern California airports – along with Van Nuys general aviation – that are owned and operated by Los Angeles World Airports, a proprietary department of the City of Los Angeles that receives no funding from the City’s general fund.

For more information about LAX, follow on Twitter

@flyLAXAirport , on Facebook at www.facebook.com/LAInternationalAirport , and on YouTube at

www.YouTube.com/laxairport1 .  Information about LAX’s ongoing multi-billion-dollar LAX Modernization Program, as well as tips and shortcuts to help navigate LAX during construction, are available

          As a covered entity under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City of Los Angeles does not discriminate on the basis of disability and, upon request, will provide reasonable accommodation to ensure equal access to its programs, services, and activities.  Alternative formats in large print, braille, audio, and other forms (if possible) will be provided upon request.