FlyAway Bus
Encyclopedia
The FlyAway Bus is a shuttle bus
service created and funded by Los Angeles World Airports
, which transports passengers non-stop to and from Los Angeles International Airport
(LAX). Coach America
provides the drivers and daily operations for the service. Currently, there are four routes in service with separate schedules; the routes have no stops in between their terminus stations
and LAX.
At the airport, 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.
As well as using the fleet blue FlyAway branded buses, the FlyAway Bus sometimes uses the buses from the fleet of its operator, Coach America
which does not have the same blue livery. The Westwood route has smaller clean-fueled, compressed natural gas (CNG) shuttles with free Wi-Fi internet access for passengers.
The LAX FlyAway bus network is owned by Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA), the City of Los Angeles department which owns and operates three airports in Greater Los Angeles area. The FlyAway is part of the LAWA ground transportation initiative to improve passenger convenience, reduce traffic congestion and vehicle emissions pollutants by encouraging high-occupancy vehicle ridership as part of the LAX Master Plan Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program.
LAWA reported the LAX FlyAway network serviced more than 1.5 million passengers in 2008; saving its passengers from driving a combined total of 23 million vehicle miles, and saving nearly one million gallons of gasoline.
The Van Nuys FlyAway charges an adult bus fare of $7 (credit or debit cards only, cash not accepted) and a parking rate of $4 per day, and provides services every 30 minutes throughout much of the day (except every 15 minutes during peak hours and every 60 minutes late in the night).
The Van Nuys FlyAway was the original route and the only FlyAway service for more than 30 years after it was launched on July 10, 1975. During its first year of operation it transported over 275,000 passengers. By 2008, Los Angeles World Airports reported the annual passenger count from its flagship location in the San Fernando Valley rose to nearly 988,000.
This service operates from the LAWA-owned Van Nuys Airport
(located at 7610 Woodley Ave) to LAX. Van Nuys is the only FlyAway location with a passenger terminal building, which opened on December 17, 2004. The $34-million terminal facility complex included additional open-air and multi-story parking, more convenient passenger drop-off, a modern terminal building and new landscaping.
This route travels from Los Angeles Union Station
in downtown Los Angeles to LAX; it is mainly intended for those who are able to use public transportation to get to Union Station and then transfer to the bus to complete their journey. There is, however, a parking garage available for those who wish to drive to Union Station, though the rates ($6/day) are higher than at Van Nuys ($4/day).
With the same fare structure as Van Nuys FlyAway ($7, credit cards only), the Union Station FlyAway's frequency is every 30 minutes (except 60 minutes late night and 20 minutes during peak hours). The buses leave from the Union Station's Patsaouras Transit Plaza off Vignes Street, and use the carpool/High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes on the Harbor Freeway (I-110) and the Century Freeway (I-105).
The buses on this route look very similar to the Van Nuys buses, but bus drivers remind riders which bus goes to which destination and destination signs are present on the front and sides of each bus.
The LAX FlyAway began operating at Union Station has been hailed as a success by city officials since its inception on March 15, 2006. Union Station was the second FlyAway service location to open. During its first year of operation the FlyAway at Union Station transported 250,000 passengers, more than three times the number predicted at the onset of service. By 2008, Los Angeles World Airports reported the annual passenger count rose to more than 433,000.
This route travels from Parking Structure 32 south of the campus of UCLA
in Westwood
to LAX.
With an adult fare of $10 the Westwood FlyAway runs daily from 6 am to 10 pm (southbound) or 11 pm (northbound). Services are hourly, except every 30 minutes on Thursday afternoon, Friday and Sunday. Parking in UCLA's Lot 32 is offered from 3 pm Friday until 7 am Monday for $7 per day.
The LAX FlyAway in Westwood began operating on June 14, 2007. The Westwood location was the third FlyAway route in the network of non-stop buses to LAX. It has the smallest service territory, serving primarily the UCLA campus and anyone who lives or works in the surrounding communities within a three mile radius including Westwood Village, Brentwood and Century City.
The Westwood route converted to smaller clean-fueled, compressed natural gas (CNG) buses in fall 2008. Free Wi-Fi internet service is available to passengers on these 21-seat CNG shuttles. This is a great benefit for business travelers from the dozens of fortune 500 companies in the area. The buses mostly travel on the congested 405 Freeway, so average travel time can be 45 minutes or longer during peak traffic hours.
During its first year of operation the FlyAway at Westwood transported 105,300 passengers, nearly 10 percent more than the number predicted at the onset of service. The 2008, annual passenger count reported by Los Angeles World Airports was nearly 125,300.
. Service commenced on November 16, 2009 providing for a 60 minute or more journey between LAX and the Irvine Transportation Center.
The Irvine Transportation Center provides access to Metrolink
and Amtrak
services and provides more convenient access to Central and Southern Orange County. The LAX FlyAway station is next to the tracks near the shuttle pick up and drop-off area. LAX FlyAway passengers have access to free long term overnight parking (500 spaces) in a dedicated lot next to the Irvine Transportation Center parking lot.
Unlike the frequent services of the other three FlyAway routes, the Irvine route only runs six times a day, with buses two to four hours apart. The adult fare is $25, but up to two children aged 14 or less can be allowed free with each fare-paying adult with proof of age. Cash is not accepted for this route; only credit and debit cards are accepted for payment.
Public transport
Public transport is a shared passenger transportation service which is available for use by the general public, as distinct from modes such as taxicab, car pooling or hired buses which are not shared by strangers without private arrangement.Public transport modes include buses, trolleybuses, trams...
service created and funded by Los Angeles World Airports
Los Angeles World Airports
Los Angeles World Airports or LAWA is the airport oversight and operations department for the city of Los Angeles, California, United States...
, which transports passengers non-stop to and from Los Angeles International Airport
Los Angeles International Airport
Los Angeles International Airport is the primary airport serving the Greater Los Angeles Area, the second-most populated metropolitan area in the United States. It is most often referred to by its IATA airport code LAX, with the letters pronounced individually...
(LAX). Coach America
Coach America
Coach America, also doing business as American Coach Lines, is a holding company for American bus services owned by New York-based private equity firm Fenway Partners operating under the Coach America, American Coach Lines, and Gray Line names...
provides the drivers and daily operations for the service. Currently, there are four routes in service with separate schedules; the routes have no stops in between their terminus stations
Terminal Station
Terminal Station is a 1953 film by Italian director Vittorio De Sica. It tells the story of the love affair between an Italian man and an American woman. The film was entered into the 1953 Cannes Film Festival.-Production:...
and LAX.
At the airport, 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
Airport terminal
An airport terminal is a building at an airport where passengers transfer between ground transportation and the facilities that allow them to board and disembark from aircraft....
on the (upper) departure level.
Coach America
Coach America, also doing business as American Coach Lines, is a holding company for American bus services owned by New York-based private equity firm Fenway Partners operating under the Coach America, American Coach Lines, and Gray Line names...
which does not have the same blue livery. The Westwood route has smaller clean-fueled, compressed natural gas (CNG) shuttles with free Wi-Fi internet access for passengers.
The LAX FlyAway bus network is owned by Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA), the City of Los Angeles department which owns and operates three airports in Greater Los Angeles area. The FlyAway is part of the LAWA ground transportation initiative to improve passenger convenience, reduce traffic congestion and vehicle emissions pollutants by encouraging high-occupancy vehicle ridership as part of the LAX Master Plan Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program.
LAWA reported the LAX FlyAway network serviced more than 1.5 million passengers in 2008; saving its passengers from driving a combined total of 23 million vehicle miles, and saving nearly one million gallons of gasoline.
Van Nuys
The Van Nuys FlyAway was the original route and the only FlyAway service for more than 30 years after it was launched on July 10, 1975. During its first year of operation it transported over 275,000 passengers. By 2008, Los Angeles World Airports reported the annual passenger count from its flagship location in the San Fernando Valley rose to nearly 988,000.
This service operates from the LAWA-owned Van Nuys Airport
Van Nuys Airport
Van Nuys Airport is a public airport located in Van Nuys in the San Fernando Valley section of the city limits of Los Angeles, California, United States. No major commercial airlines fly into this airport; it is used by private, chartered, and small commercial aircraft...
(located at 7610 Woodley Ave) to LAX. Van Nuys is the only FlyAway location with a passenger terminal building, which opened on December 17, 2004. The $34-million terminal facility complex included additional open-air and multi-story parking, more convenient passenger drop-off, a modern terminal building and new landscaping.
Union Station
Union Station (Los Angeles)
Los Angeles Union Station is the main railway station in Los Angeles, California. The station has rail services by Amtrak and Amtrak California and Metrolink; light rail/subways are the Metro Rail Red Line, Purple Line, Gold Line. Bus rapid transport runs on the Silver Line...
in downtown Los Angeles to LAX; it is mainly intended for those who are able to use public transportation to get to Union Station and then transfer to the bus to complete their journey. There is, however, a parking garage available for those who wish to drive to Union Station, though the rates ($6/day) are higher than at Van Nuys ($4/day).
With the same fare structure as Van Nuys FlyAway ($7, credit cards only), the Union Station FlyAway's frequency is every 30 minutes (except 60 minutes late night and 20 minutes during peak hours). The buses leave from the Union Station's Patsaouras Transit Plaza off Vignes Street, and use the carpool/High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes on the Harbor Freeway (I-110) and the Century Freeway (I-105).
The buses on this route look very similar to the Van Nuys buses, but bus drivers remind riders which bus goes to which destination and destination signs are present on the front and sides of each bus.
The LAX FlyAway began operating at Union Station has been hailed as a success by city officials since its inception on March 15, 2006. Union Station was the second FlyAway service location to open. During its first year of operation the FlyAway at Union Station transported 250,000 passengers, more than three times the number predicted at the onset of service. By 2008, Los Angeles World Airports reported the annual passenger count rose to more than 433,000.
Westwood
University of California, Los Angeles
The University of California, Los Angeles is a public research university located in the Westwood neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, USA. It was founded in 1919 as the "Southern Branch" of the University of California and is the second oldest of the ten campuses...
in Westwood
Westwood, Los Angeles, California
Westwood is a neighborhood on the Westside of Los Angeles, California, United States. It is the home of the University of California, Los Angeles .-History:...
to LAX.
With an adult fare of $10 the Westwood FlyAway runs daily from 6 am to 10 pm (southbound) or 11 pm (northbound). Services are hourly, except every 30 minutes on Thursday afternoon, Friday and Sunday. Parking in UCLA's Lot 32 is offered from 3 pm Friday until 7 am Monday for $7 per day.
The LAX FlyAway in Westwood began operating on June 14, 2007. The Westwood location was the third FlyAway route in the network of non-stop buses to LAX. It has the smallest service territory, serving primarily the UCLA campus and anyone who lives or works in the surrounding communities within a three mile radius including Westwood Village, Brentwood and Century City.
The Westwood route converted to smaller clean-fueled, compressed natural gas (CNG) buses in fall 2008. Free Wi-Fi internet service is available to passengers on these 21-seat CNG shuttles. This is a great benefit for business travelers from the dozens of fortune 500 companies in the area. The buses mostly travel on the congested 405 Freeway, so average travel time can be 45 minutes or longer during peak traffic hours.
During its first year of operation the FlyAway at Westwood transported 105,300 passengers, nearly 10 percent more than the number predicted at the onset of service. The 2008, annual passenger count reported by Los Angeles World Airports was nearly 125,300.
Irvine
The LAX FlyAway from Irvine operates from the Irvine Transportation CenterIrvine (Amtrak station)
The Irvine Transportation Center is a passenger rail and bus terminal in Irvine, California, United States. Located on the southwest end of the decommissioned Marine Corps Air Station El Toro, it is served by Amtrak California's Pacific Surfliner route, two Metrolink commuter rail lines, multiple...
. Service commenced on November 16, 2009 providing for a 60 minute or more journey between LAX and the Irvine Transportation Center.
The Irvine Transportation Center provides access to Metrolink
Metrolink (Southern California)
Metrolink is a commuter rail system serving Los Angeles and the surrounding area of Southern California; it currently consists of six lines and 55 stations using of track....
and Amtrak
Amtrak
The National Railroad Passenger Corporation, doing business as Amtrak , is a government-owned corporation that was organized on May 1, 1971, to provide intercity passenger train service in the United States. "Amtrak" is a portmanteau of the words "America" and "track". It is headquartered at Union...
services and provides more convenient access to Central and Southern Orange County. The LAX FlyAway station is next to the tracks near the shuttle pick up and drop-off area. LAX FlyAway passengers have access to free long term overnight parking (500 spaces) in a dedicated lot next to the Irvine Transportation Center parking lot.
Unlike the frequent services of the other three FlyAway routes, the Irvine route only runs six times a day, with buses two to four hours apart. The adult fare is $25, but up to two children aged 14 or less can be allowed free with each fare-paying adult with proof of age. Cash is not accepted for this route; only credit and debit cards are accepted for payment.