Ride-share drivers at the Louis Armstrong International Airport are voicing concerns of frustration after being moved to a new staging location.Drivers used to be able to park and wait at the cellphone lot, but earlier this month MSY moved them to another part of the property at the TNC lot on Aberdeen.The concern for many drivers is that this lot is much farther from where they pick up riders at MSY, causing them to spend more on gas.If a driver drops off a passenger at the airport, in order to get back in cue they are required to use the Veterans Boulevard/ Loyola Drive surface street entry into the airport to access the TNC lot.The new lot is unpaved and drivers say during weather events potholes and debris become an issue. Drivers also complain their cars are then dirtied faster, inconveniencing customers, in addition to the upset of the new lot only having portable restrooms. Ride-share driver Lakeba Griffith says drivers are expected to pay the airport between $4 to $6 for each ride they provide. She says the drivers deserve to know where their money is going."At this particular time, all I want to know is where's the money taken out of our checks in order to pick up passengers here at the airport to bring them into the city of New Orleans? Where's that money?" Griffith said. Other drivers like Leon Clark say drivers fear retaliation if they voice their concerns. "We pay too much money," Clark said. "This place should be black tarped, and there should be no retribution for anyone who has a concern about where their money is going, their tax dollars and where their money is going." MSY issued a statement on this issue:On Dec. 10, 2024, the rideshare hold lot at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) was relocated from its previous location which was shared with the taxi hold lot. This relocation was part of early ground transportation plans at MSY following the move to the new terminal in 2019, but was delayed due to the reduction in passenger activity since the pandemic. Now that passenger activity is returning to pre-pandemic levels and with the Super Bowl approaching, MSY has relocated rideshare drivers to a separate hold lot. The lot location was developed in close coordination with and approved by the major rideshare companies. This relocation will allow the Airport to separate the two different types of ground transportation providers and make traffic more efficient on Airport roadways while still keeping the rideshare drivers in close proximity to their pickup area. The Airport was able to accomplish this without the need to raise the $4 rate paid by rideshare companies for each airport pickup, which is comparable to rates at other airports around the country. The Airport is currently undergoing a master plan to map out the next phases of development across its campus. As such, no significant changes will be made to the rideshare hold lot until future plans are finalized. On background: The road to the lot is paved with asphalt, and the actual lot is a gravel lot. There is a restroom trailer with men's and women's facilities in the rideshare hold lot with running water that is serviced at least twice daily. The portable toilets are also available and are serviced regularly.
Ride-share drivers at the Louis Armstrong International Airport are voicing concerns of frustration after being moved to a new staging location.
Drivers used to be able to park and wait at the cellphone lot, but earlier this month MSY moved them to another part of the property at the TNC lot on Aberdeen.
The concern for many drivers is that this lot is much farther from where they pick up riders at MSY, causing them to spend more on gas.
If a driver drops off a passenger at the airport, in order to get back in cue they are required to use the Veterans Boulevard/ Loyola Drive surface street entry into the airport to access the TNC lot.
The new lot is unpaved and drivers say during weather events potholes and debris become an issue. Drivers also complain their cars are then dirtied faster, inconveniencing customers, in addition to the upset of the new lot only having portable restrooms.
Ride-share driver Lakeba Griffith says drivers are expected to pay the airport between $4 to $6 for each ride they provide. She says the drivers deserve to know where their money is going.
"At this particular time, all I want to know is where's the money taken out of our checks in order to pick up passengers here at the airport to bring them into the city of New Orleans? Where's that money?" Griffith said.
Other drivers like Leon Clark say drivers fear retaliation if they voice their concerns.
"We pay too much money," Clark said. "This place should be black tarped, and there should be no retribution for anyone who has a concern about where their money is going, their tax dollars and where their money is going."
MSY issued a statement on this issue:
On Dec. 10, 2024, the rideshare hold lot at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) was relocated from its previous location which was shared with the taxi hold lot. This relocation was part of early ground transportation plans at MSY following the move to the new terminal in 2019, but was delayed due to the reduction in passenger activity since the pandemic. Now that passenger activity is returning to pre-pandemic levels and with the Super Bowl approaching, MSY has relocated rideshare drivers to a separate hold lot. The lot location was developed in close coordination with and approved by the major rideshare companies.
This relocation will allow the Airport to separate the two different types of ground transportation providers and make traffic more efficient on Airport roadways while still keeping the rideshare drivers in close proximity to their pickup area. The Airport was able to accomplish this without the need to raise the $4 rate paid by rideshare companies for each airport pickup, which is comparable to rates at other airports around the country.
The Airport is currently undergoing a master plan to map out the next phases of development across its campus. As such, no significant changes will be made to the rideshare hold lot until future plans are finalized.
On background: