LAX FLYAWAY® BUS SERVICE FOR WESTWOOD EXTENDED; FARE HIKE APPROVED

 (Los Angeles, California – July 14, 2011) The City of Los Angeles Board of Airport Commissioners (BOAC) this week (July 11) approved a six-month license agreement with the Regents of the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) for passenger pick-up and drop-off for the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) FlyAway® bus service, and increase the one-way fare from the current $5 to $10 per passenger.

In addition to the fare increase, which becomes effective August 1, 2011, the daily hourly service will remain from  6 a.m. to 10 p.m. southbound, and 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. northbound. Half-hour service on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays will be eliminated. 

Officials said the price increase and the reduction in hours are being undertaken in an effort to reduce the program’s operating deficit.

During the coming six-months, staff will evaluate additional program changes with the goal of full cost recovery within through a combination of the fare increase, reduction in service, dedicated parking spaces for Flyaway passengers at UCLA, and promotion and marketing activities provided by UCLA.

Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) has operated the FlyAway® bus service between Westwood and LAX for four years, following approval of a site license agreement  for a bus stop at a UCLA-owned parking structure on Kinross Avenue in Westwood Village. 

The original agreement was for one year, with two one-year extensions.  A later amendment reduced site costs and extended the contract to a new, three-year term that expired

            On June 13, UCLA authorized a temporary continuation of the bus service on its property until BOAC could determine the future of the Westwood FlyAway®.

To date, recommended adjustments have reduced the program’s gross operating deficit from $2.76 million in FY 2008 to approximately $1.03 million in FY 2011 with the ridership remaining relatively consistent.