Atlanta clears way for Uber and Lyft to operate at airport

ATLANTA - You will soon have more options to get to and from the world busiest airport. The Atlanta City Council voted to allow Uber, Lyft and other ride share companies to work at the airport. “Reliable rides with the push of a button just got even more reliable,” says Uber spokeswoman Evangeline George.

Uber driver Christopher Smith says he's already been making airport runs, making dozens of trips a week. But each time he risked getting a ticket from police. “It's better than driving around aimlessly looking for trips,” says Smith.

As of January 1st, Smith and other rideshare drivers will legally be able to make an airport stop with a few stipulations. Their cars must be less than seven years old, they'll need a decal on their vehicle showing they're allowed to be there, and they must have a background check. Uber says they already require that. “Before any driver can partner with Uber they go through an extensive background check including a driving check and a criminal history check,” says George.

A fee of $3.85 will automatically be added to every pick up from the airport. City officials say $1.50 is a pick up fee; the rest is a security fee.

Taxi drivers have been fighting to keep the rideshare companies away from the airport. They claim the background checks aren't tough enough. They also fear they'll lose business. “The past two years it's been getting harder for us. Now I don't think I will be driving for very much longer,” says taxi driver Muluken Garedew.

Uber says they'll be working with airport officials to designate a place where drivers can wait to pick up their passengers. Uber says they're already in 70 airports across the country.