LOS ANGELES WORLD AIRPORTS RECEIVES TWO DIAMOND AWARDS FOR INNOVATIVE EMPLOYEE RIDESHARE PROGRAMS
Airport Vanpools Save 4.8 Million Commuter Miles and 324,000 Gallons of Gasoline

Los Angeles, California -- May 4, 2001) Los Angeles World Airports has received two Rideshare Diamond Awards for innovation and comprehensive marketing of its employee rideshare program from a coalition of leading Southern California rideshare organizations.

The awards were presented by co-sponsors Southern California Rideshare, the nation's largest commute assistance agency and a division of the Southern California Association of Governments; the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Association; and the Ventura County Transportation Commission.

LAWA's multi-faceted Rideshare Program includes 58 vanpools, 25 carpools, public transit incentives, and several marketing activities and special events to recruit and retain program participants. This totally voluntary program is unsurpassed by any public and private employer on the Westside.

LAWA's Vanpool Program alone saves over 4,800,000 commuter miles per year, approximately 324,000 gallons of gasoline annually, and thousands of dollars in insurance and vehicle depreciation costs, and countless hours spent on Southern California's over-burdened freeways.

"All of Los Angeles World Airports' employee commuter options help lessen the number of single-passenger vehicles on our roads, which contributes to improved air quality and reduced traffic congestion," said William Bruce, LAWA director of airports administration. "And these options help employees save significant money, especially given today's high gasoline prices. The Rideshare Diamond awards are well-deserved, and I commend everyone in the Rideshare Section for their hard work to make a difference."

This marked the third year for the Rideshare Diamond Awards, presented to recognize "outstanding businesses and individuals who keep Southern California moving."

LAWA's Rideshare Program previously has earned a number of other major honors, including the 1998 Southern California Association of Government's "Award for Excellence;" the Clean Air Award" in both 1997 and 1990 from the South Coast Air Quality Management District; and the "Governor's Transportation Award" from the state in 1990.

Los Angeles World Airports is a self-supporting department within the City of Los Angeles, which owns and operates a world-class system of four airports: Los Angeles International, Ontario International, Palmdale Regional, and Van Nuys. LAWA's combined airports move 74 million passengers and 2.7 million tons of cargo annually; employs, directly and indirectly, 478,000 people; and pumps nearly $70 billion into the Southern California economy. Additional information about LAWA may be obtained at www.lawa.org .