A temporary staging area meant for the drivers of Transportation Network Companies — like Uber and Lyft — headed to Reagan National is causing some confusion and traffic headaches in Crystal City.
Some residents have complained about the airport’s “TNC waiting area” at 26th Street and Crystal Drive. Reagan National recently designated the area as a place for drivers to park while it puts the finishing touches on a new lot, according to Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority spokeswoman Kimberly Gibbs.
Dozens of Uber and Lyft drivers were spotted idling, parking and honking their horns in the area when an ARLnow reporter visited earlier this morning.
Although the waiting area is only slated to remain in use until March, it has upset some locals. Peeved residents have taken to Twitter to complain about drivers creating traffic jams and dangerous situations.
In response, the airport has created an entrance and exit in the lot to “reduce the likelihood of bottlenecks,” increased police patrols “to ensure that TNC drivers are not causing backups,” and has started closing the the lot when it is full “to mitigate unnecessary congestion,” Gibbs said.
Additionally, the airport has asked residents to report parking complaints by calling the Airports Authority Police at 703-417-2400.
Taxi drivers already have a place at the airport to queue up, but that lot is often completely full with cabs.
@dcairports dangerous situation you've created with @Uber @lyft cars illegally parking/jamming Crystal Drive/26th – @ArlingtonVaPD pl help!!
— Kara Westercamp (@KaraWestercamp) January 6, 2017
@KaraWestercamp @Uber @lyft @ArlingtonVaPD Driver staging under Rt.233 is temporary while we prepare a new lot closer to @Reagan_Airport
— MWAA (@dcairports) January 7, 2017
@KaraWestercamp Since coming to our attention, we've been in contact with @lyft and @MWAAPD to address issue in addition to enforcement.
— ArlingtonCountyPD (@ArlingtonVaPD) January 7, 2017