The San Diego County Regional Airport Authority signed permits Thursday for ridesharing companies Lyft and Uber to begin operations at the airport under a pilot program.
The two companies will begin ridesharing at San Diego International Airport immediately, augmenting an existing service provided by Opoli.
“The Airport Authority always looks for ways to improve the customer experience for our passengers,” said Airport Authority Board Chair Robert Gleason. “We’re excited to offer the latest in-demand transportation options to the traveling public, and we’re doing so while keeping safety as a top priority.”
The new program, which runs through June 30, 2016, removes the fingerprinting requirement from the airport authority’s background check process for ground transportation. Ridesharing providers rely on independent contractors rather than regular employees.
“After months of collaborative work toward a permitting agreement, we’re excited to announce that travelers will be able to request a Lyft ride at San Diego International Airport,” said Bakari Brock, Lyft’s director of business development. “We’d like to thank the airport authority board and SAN staff for welcoming ridesharing as a safe, reliable, and innovative transportation option for San Diego visitors and residents.”
Christopher Ballard, General Manager of Uber San Diego, said the Uber drivers “look forward to connecting San Diegans and visitors to safe, reliable, and affordable rides to and from the Airport.”
