Uber and Lyft are getting more leeway to operate at BWI

Lyft and Uber are cleared for landing at BWI, but that means rides to the airport will cost more.
The ridesharing services got state approval to operate at the Baltimore airport last week.
The Maryland Board of Public Works approved contracts that allow ridesharing to be among the ground transportation services offered, according to a meeting summary.
“We want to ensure access to modern transportation options for local residents and visitors. This approval will help ensure convenient, safe ground transportation service for our airport customers,” BWI CEO Ricky Smith said in a statement.
While Uber and Lyft have been spotted giving air travelers rides on many an occasion, the contracts provide legitimacy in the eyes of BWI. The airport’s staff plans to work with the companies to create designated zones for ridesharing pickup and dropoff.
The new approval isn’t without costs. The contract includes a $2.50 fee per ride that the companies will pass onto customers. The fee is not as high as Reagan and Dulles, where it’s $4, per WTOP.
Over the last year, the companies have been inking similar deals with other cities, like Philly.
The contracts are the latest example of Uber and Lyft getting more formal approval to operate from the state government following the 2015 legislation that cleared the way for ridesharing to be regulated in the state. Like taxis and public transit, they’ll be one of the ground transportation offerings officially approved. The cost increase also shows the potential tradeoff when they go the official route.