Wondering how to pick up passengers and find the rideshare waiting lot at Newark airport? We’re going to tell you exactly what drivers need to know about picking up passengers at Newark airport.
In 2019, the Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) saw over 46 million passengers, the most ever in the airport’s 91-year history.
It’s one of the major airports serving the New York metropolitan area and ranked as the 12th busiest airport in the US. It is also a hub for FedEx Express and United Airlines– as well as a focus city for JetBlue, Spirit, and Frontier. All these stats mean one thing: this aviation center is massive.
For Uber and Lyft drivers, this is great news. Millions of passengers at EWR means more riders lining up for those airport drives, which leads to greater earnings for rideshare drivers. If you drive in this area, odds are that you’ll probably make a Newark airport ride at some point. When you do, it pays to know your stuff.
The Newark airport allows Uber and Lyft vehicles at the pick-up and drop-off terminals, but before heading that way, there are a couple rules you’ll want to know. To maximize earnings (and avoid a ticket), it’s important to understand how to navigate the airport, join the queue, and legitimize your vehicle.
To help rideshare drivers be successful at the Newark Liberty International Airport, we put together this blog post to serve as a guide. The following topics are covered:
- What do you need to know or do before arriving at the Newark Liberty International Airport?
- Do you need any permits to drive there?
- Where is the rideshare waiting lot?
- What are the passenger pick-up rules?
- What are the passenger drop-off rules?
- When is the best time to drive at the airport?
- What is the best driving strategy?
Let’s dive in!
What do I need to do before I arrive at Newark Liberty International Airport and enter the airport queue?
To pick up passengers at EWR, you’ll need your trade dress: the Lyft or Uber decal that goes on the windshield of your car.
Uber mails this decal to drivers when you sign up. If you’ve lost yours since then, there’s a couple easy ways to replace it. You can request that a new one be mailed to you, pick one up at your local Greenlight Hub (be wary of recent closures), or print out a temporary version at home.
You can order a Lyft decal from your Dashboard, and print a temporary emblem to use while waiting for yours to come in the mail.
Where is the Uber/Lyft rideshare waiting lot?
The Newark Liberty International Airport has one staging area for rideshare drivers, called the Rideshare Hold Lot and located at the end of Earhart Drive.
Once you get to the staging lot you’ll automatically be entered into the airport queue. You’ll be able to check your place in line in the Lyft or Uber app.
While waiting for requests and depending on which app you use, you may get a “pre-dispatch” or “pre-match” message directing you to head to the terminal. While on route to the terminal, you’ll get a ride request. If no requests pop up, circle back to the lot– you’ll be near the front of the line when you return.
Lyft drivers, please note: if you’re a driver whose home region is New Jersey, you will not be able to receive ride requests in New York City. If a rider brought you to the city, you’ll have to return to New Jersey to get another ride request. If your home region is New York City but you’ve ended up in New Jersey, your next request will be headed back to the city.
(Don’t worry. It’s a weird rule to us, too.)
How should Uber and Lyft drivers pick up passengers?
The driver who has been waiting the longest time in the staging area gets the next rider request. Make sure not to enter out of driver mode while you wait, or you’ll lose your spot in line!
Once you get a ride, a pin will be placed at the pick-up spot for you to meet them. A message will tell you what terminal to pick up your rider at the Arrivals level of EWR.
It can get crowded, so don’t hesitate to reach out to your rider to let them know you’ve arrived.
How should Uber and Lyft drivers drop off passengers at the Newark Liberty International Airport?
Luckily, dropping off passengers at EWR is a lot easier than picking them up. Just head to the Departures level at the passenger’s carrier of choice.
The Newark airport also offers a “Rematch” service, so that you can match with additional passengers after completing a drop-off without having to return to the staging area.
When is the best time to drive at the Newark Liberty International Airport?
Turn to your Gridwise app for information about all arrivals and departures at EWR, as well as delays and cancellations.
Typically, midday is the best time for airport driving; most passenger arrivals and departures occur sometime between 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.
With Gridwise Plus you’ll be able to see airport data 24 hours in advance, so you can lock in a solid airport strategy the night before you head out.
What airport strategies should I use?
Pick up a passenger on the way to the airport
Count on Gridwise to let you know when there’s a peak in airport departures, so you can hang around near hotels at that time to maximize your chances of an airport ride.
Do not cancel on a passenger after you’ve accepted a fare
If you do, you will be bumped to the bottom of the queue and your wait starts all over again. The good news is that if it’s a short ride, some companies let you jump back in line after you’ve dropped that passenger off.
Be ready to present your waybill and keep your app updated
A waybill is essentially a receipt of the last trip you completed. Be prepared to present this to airport officials or law enforcement while waiting for arrivals.
Keeping your app updated is the best way to take advantage of features like Rematch that could mean bigger earnings in the long run.
Always be prepared
As always, you never know when law enforcement will show up. Keep your driver’s license, insurance card, and registration handy, and don’t forget to have your placard displayed.
Congrats! Now you’re all set to make some pick-ups and drop-offs at the Newark Liberty International Airport. Happy driving!
And when you need a little extra cash…
Whether it’s an unexpected car repair, medical bill, or another kind of expense, sometimes we all need a little extra cash.
At Gridwise, we get that. And it’s why we’ve partnered with a company called Coverr that provides drivers with a business cash advance of up to $1,500 for those unexpected emergencies.
Applying should only take about 10 minutes, approvals just two hours during business hours, and you’ll receive cash on the same day you apply.
So if you need a little extra cash for your rideshare business, apply with Coverr!
