squeakr

I am a very anxious traveler and so left the affinia Dumont on 34 st 7 AM this past Sunday. We got to LaGuardia literally at 7:22. Albums going right to the United check-in. The driver did tell me that he's had some instances during the week were people of had to walk the last little bit, so it sounds like they're still traffic at rush-hours but I had absolutely no problem on Sunday.
Thanks for the advice!

FlyinHawaiian

We had a depature this morning (Thursday) on United, got off the GCP around 7:15 am, and had no issues or delays in getting dropped off curbside. That was quite a relief!

ijgordon

I wonder if the traffic issues are more skewed toward the evenings when there would be more arrivals than departures. Dropping off a passenger is much quicker than picking up an arriving passenger, since for the latter you often have cars waiting around curbside, and thus it's easier for the roads to get backed up.

I suppose we can keep an eye on google maps as well.

Blumie

My last evening experience was the Monday before the Tuesday storm a couple of weeks ago. I arrived on the Q70 at about 5pm and departed on the Q70 at about 8:30pm, and in both instances there was traffic, but nothing that caused more than a few minute delay. As I've reported upthread, it's the type of traffic that, upon approaching, might cause a moment of panic, especially if one has read about the really bad experiences some have had in the past, but the panic dissipates when one sees how well it moves.

cestmoi123

FYI, car services can no longer pick up at terminal B.

LAGUARDIA TRAVEL ADVISORY - FOR TRAVELERS FLYING INTO TERMINAL B USING FOR-HIRE-VEHICLES: NEW PICK-UP AREA TO SIGNIFICANTLY IMPROVE TRAFFIC FLOW STARTING WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5 UNDER ONE-MONTH PILOT PROGRAM - FHVs THAT VIOLATE NEW POLICY SUBJECT TO PENALTIES - DROP OFF PROCEDURES REMAIN UNCHANGED

Date: Apr 03, 2017
Press Release Number: 54-2017

Continuing efforts to lessen traffic on LaGuardia Airport's roadways during on-going construction work, For-Hire Vehicles (FHVs) will pick up travelers flying into Terminal B at a new dedicated location west of the terminal starting Wednesday, April 5. The Port Authority is taking necessary steps to maintain on-going operations during the construction of the new LaGuardia Airport.

The new area will operate on a one-month pilot basis in anticipation of higher passenger volumes during the traditionally busy spring break and Easter and Passover holiday travel period. All arriving passengers at Terminal B with for-hire-vehicle/car service pick-ups must use the new area. FHV drivers are cautioned that FHVs without passengers will not be allowed on the Terminal B frontage, with violators subject to fines and points on their licenses.

Departing passengers will continue to be dropped off at the terminal frontage as usual. New ground transfer locations at Terminal B already are in effect, with the taxi stand relocated to the west end of the terminal to allow easier off-airport access.

Passengers flying into Terminal B can use a dedicated shuttle bus or walk approximately 10 minutes from the terminal to the new FHV pick-up location. Passengers should look for signs as they exit the arrival areas at Terminal B. Customer service ambassadors will be on hand to offer assistance. Travelers should wait to exit the terminal before calling for cars.

The location of the new FHV pick-up area is designed to provide quick direct access to the airport exit and onto the Grand Central Parkway, and reduce travel time.

The new FHV pick-up location is one of a continuing series of steps airport officials are taking to reduce potential traffic congestion on airport roadways during the ongoing modernization of LaGuardia Airport, which will include a new Terminal B to meet the airport's 21st century needs.

Airlines serving LaGuardia Airport's Terminal B are Air Canada, American, Envoy, Frontier, JetBlue, Southwest, Spirit, United and Virgin America.

Additional tips for passengers and motorists can be found on the airport’s website at http://laguardiaairport.com/news/spr...k-travel-tips/

The Port Authority has an on-site Traffic Command Center that monitors traffic conditions and deploys staff and resources where necessary. Airport traffic conditions are regularly updated and communicated via social media Facebook, or @LGAairport on Twitter and LaGuardiaAirport.com.

http://laguardiaairport.com/news/fhv-pick-up/

Blumie

Interesting. I take this to mean that taxis still will pick up at the terminal, and that only black cars and uber/lyft are affected. I hate airport shuttles, but now that the weather is getting nicer, hopefully the walk won't be too bad.

cestmoi123

I was alerted to this by our office travel manager, and that's how he understands it - taxis can pick up, but black cars (including uber/lyft) will need to pick up offsite. He also said that black cars won't be allowed to do meet & greet inside the terminal either.

seawolf

http://laguardiaairport.com/news/fhv-pick-up/

Need to take a shuttle bus to a staging area for Uber/Lyft etc if flight arrivals in Terminal B.

This one-month pilot program commenced on 5 APR.

http://www.panynj.gov/press-room/pre...adLine_id=2667

zip10001

My experience on Friday April 7th 2017, 9.45 pm (2 days after the new 'For Hire Vehicule' plan):

Landed at Terminal B (American), requested a 'Lyft' ride. The driver called me and explained that I had to hop on a 'Green Bus' to go to the FVH pick-up. Because I was not yet at the FVH, the driver cancelled the ride.

I boarded the bus, and was at the FVH pick-up in less than 10 minutes.

Saw several employees in yellow jackets trying to direct the traffic and screaming like TSA agents...

Then I tried another app 'Juno', after 10 min the driver called me to say he was at 'Terminal C'.
First time and last time trying 'Juno'.

Requested another 'Lyft' ride, and finally got picked-up after 10 minutes.

Summary: Big Mess of you want to use a pick-up car!!! So many FVH, hard to see at night.
It gets windy at the FVH spot, and I can't imagine when it rains...
The bus ride adds a good 10 min to the nightmare. LGA used to be so convenient to the Chelsea area where I reside.

May try a yellow cab next time.
Has anyone a better idea for a smooth ride to Manhattan from LGA? Or should I try to fly out of JFK?

dstan

I always take a yellow cab. Cheaper than even the consumer limo services. Never tried Lyft or Uber, but an Uber driver once offered me an $80 fare to LGA because it was raining (normally $35-40), so I refuse to use them in NYC - is it actually cheaper from LGA?

dstan

Thanks! As this is being discussed in the LGA Traffic Nightmare thread, I'm moving this post over and have added the links to the WikiPost and updated the thread title to include this topic.

/Moderator

Blumie

Uber usually is cheaper, but not so much so that its worth dealing with the new regime.

cestmoi123

Uber's about the same price as taxis in NYC.

"An Uber driver" offered you something? Was this through the app, or was it a car service guy leaning out his window?

dstan

The latter, but I've also seen surge pricing on the app that is equally outrageous in the rain, in addition to not even being able to get a car.

cestmoi123

Can't really blame Uber for what a independent driver does when he's not working for them.

As for prices, they're driven by demand. Higher demand, higher prices. I prefer to have that option vs. just not being able to get a cab. To each his own, of course.