LaGuardia Airport Changes How Uber And Lyft Pick Up Passengers

EAST ELMHURST, QUEENS — Uber and Lyft have rolled out a new way to pick up travelers from LaGuardia Airport in Queens, according to news reports.

Instead of being matched with a specific driver, travelers calling an Uber or Lyft from the airport will now receive a pin code after requesting a ride, the Queens Daily Eagle reported.Passengers wait in line for the next available car, then give their unique code to their driver.

The new system went into effect last week at Terminals C and D; a program piloting the change started this summer at Terminal B, according to the Eagle.

The switch is reportedly supposed to streamline rider pickups during LaGuardia's massive, $8 billion makeover, which started in 2016.

"This was a decision the Port Authority made as a result of ongoing construction at the airport, and we're working closely to try and limit issues for riders and drivers," Uber spokesperson Harry Hartfield told the Eagle.

Portland International Airport and San Francisco International Airport already use similar systems, PIX11 reported.

"While these programs are in their early stages, we are learning from them and are working to improve wait times and reduce congestion at the airport," the Port Authority said in a statement to PIX11.