Lyft, Uber join Sidecar at SFO

Two more smartphone ride service apps will now be able to operate legally at San Francisco International Airport.

SFO officials announced an agreement Monday that will give Lyft and Uber a permit to pick up and drop off passengers at SFO.

Last week, SFO signed a permit for Sidecar to operate legally at the airport, making SFO the first airport in California to give a permit to a transportation network company — a term to describe the ride apps by the California Public Utilities Commissions, which regulates the companies.

At the time SFO announced the Sidecar deal, both Lyft and Uber had not signed permit agreements yet, according to a airport spokesman.

Airport Director John L. Martin said in a statement that SFO is the first airport in the United States to have both companies sign a permit:

“This gives customers at SFO more choice, without compromising our focus on safety and security.”

Lyft also made the announcement on its blog Wednesday on the permit agreement. The company wrote that it started the permit process months ago with SFO and the company formally signed the deal last week.

Lyft also secured a permit last month with the Nashville International Airport in Tennessee.

SFO officials said the companies expect to begin operations within the next 30 days.

Jerold Chinn

Jerold serves as a reporter and San Francisco Bureau Chief for SFBay covering transportation and occasionally City Hall and the Mayor's Office in San Francisco. His work on transportation has been recognized by the San Francisco Press Club. Born and raised in San Francisco, he graduated from San Francisco State University with a degree in journalism. Jerold previously wrote for the San Francisco Public Press, a nonprofit, noncommercial news organization. When not reporting, you can find Jerold taking Muni to check out new places to eat in the city.