FlyAway Bus
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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 FlyAway Bus at Union Station |
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| Founded | 1975 |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Los Angeles, California |
| Locale | Los Angeles County, California |
| Service area |  United States |
| Service type | Airport shuttle |
| Routes | 3 |
| Stations | 4 |
| Daily ridership | 585 |
| Operator | Los Angeles World Airports |
| Web site | FlyAway |
The FlyAway Bus is a shuttle bus service operated by Los Angeles World Airports, which transports people to and from Los Angeles International Airport. Currently, there are three routes in service with separate schedules; the routes have no stops in between their terminus stations and LAX.
Because it is a bus service, it is often subject to localized traffic and congestion problems, and travel times on the routes can vary. The service operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The one way ticket price is any route is $4 cash for adults, $2 for children aged 2-12 and free for children under age 2. All terminals also offer optional remote passenger and baggage check-in services for $5 per person, and includes two bags.
The blue buses are well-branded and easily distinguishable and pick up travelers at every terminal on the (lower) arrival level under green signs reading FlyAway, Buses and Long-Distance Vans. When dropping off passengers, the bus stops at each airport terminal on the (upper) departure level. It is important to note that since the arrivals and departures are on different levels at LAX, the bus, at any one time, is only dropping off or picking up passengers, in contrast to some airport shuttles.
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[edit] Van Nuys
[edit] Route
This service operates from Van Nuys Airport (located at 7610 Woodley Ave)[1] to LAX. There are open-air parking lots, both long-term and short-term, as well as a multi-story parking garage at the station, effectively making it a park and ride.
This service has been in operation since 1975;[2] as a result, the newer Union Station service was initially (after launch) confused by travelers with the old Van Nuys service.
[edit] Schedule
Van Nuys → LAX
| Time of day | Departure frequency | Departure times |
|---|---|---|
| 4:30 am – 9:30 am | Every 15 minutes | :00, :15, :30, :45 |
| 10 am – 11:30 pm | Every 30 minutes | On the hour and on the half. |
| Midnight – 4:00 am | Varies |
|
LAX → Van Nuys
| Time of day | Departure frequency | Departure times |
|---|---|---|
| 5:30 am – Midnight | Every 30 minutes | On the hour and on the half. |
| Midnight – 4:15 am | Varies |
|
[edit] Union Station
[edit] Route
This route travels from Los Angeles Union Station to LAX; it is mainly intended for those who are able to use public transportation to get to Union Station (or connecting to there via rail from Burbank-Bob Hope Airport) and then transfer to the bus to complete their journey. The buses leave from Berth 9 located at Union Station East Portal/Patsaouras Transit Plaza.[3] There is, however, a parking garage available for those who wish to drive to Union Station, though the rates are higher ($6/day) than at Van Nuys ($4/day). The route has been hailed as a success by city officials since its inception on March 15, 2006.[4][5] The trip takes anywhere from 25 to 45 minutes, depending on the traffic.
The bus travels on the Hollywood Freeway (US 101), then southbound on the Harbor Freeway (I-110). When approaching Exposition Park, the bus goes on HOV lanes and continues onto the Century Freeway (I-105) until exiting at Sepulveda Boulevard (SR 1) northbound.
From LAX, the bus travels on HOV lanes on the 105 and 110 freeways. When there is traffic on the 110 freeway through Downtown Los Angeles, the bus exits onto Adams Boulevard and goes east to Main Street. The bus continues north on Main Street and enters Patsaouras Transit Plaza from Alameda Street.
Because the buses on this route look so similar compared to the Van Nuys buses, this has caused some confusion for travelers, but bus drivers are keen on reminding riders which bus goes to which destination, in addition to the destination signs on the front and sides of each bus. Besides blue FlyAway buses, LAWA also contracts with Coach USA to use their buses for FlyAway service.
[edit] Schedule
Union Station → LAX and LAX → Union Station
| Time of day | Departure frequency | Departure times |
|---|---|---|
| 5 am – 1 am | Every 30 minutes | On the hour and on the half. |
| 1 am – 5 am | Every hour | On the hour. |
[edit] Westwood
[edit] Route
This route travels from University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) in Westwood to LAX; it is mainly intended to serve the students, staff, and faculty of UCLA and the residents of Westwood Village. The buses leave from UCLA parking structure 32, located at Kinross Avenue and Weyburn Place, which is available for those who wish to drive to UCLA/Westwood to pick up or drop off passengers. Long-term overnight parking is only offered from 3pm Friday until 7am Monday. [6]
The bus travels mainly on the severely congested San Diego Freeway (I-405) on its trip to and from LAX.
[edit] Schedule
Westwood → LAX and LAX → Westwood
| Time of day | Departure frequency | Departure times |
|---|---|---|
| 5 am – 1 am | Every 30 minutes | On the hour and on the half. |
| 1 am – 5 am | No Service |
[edit] References
- ^ Van Nuys Flyaway info
- ^ CSUN Oviatt Library Digital Collections Image
- ^ Union Station Flyaway info
- ^ Press release announcing start of FlyAway Union Station Service
- ^ Press release announcing ridership figures of the service
- ^ Fly Away Information Brochure
