LAWA AWARDS $16.5 MILLION, FIVE-YEAR CONTRACT FOR FLYAWAY SERVICE
TO UNION STATION FEATURING CLEAN, ALTERNATIVE FUEL BUS FLEET
(Los Angeles, California – October 1, 2007) The Los Angeles Board of Airport Commissioners today approved a $16.5 million, five-year contract with CUSA CC, LLC (dba Coach America Los Angeles) to operate non-stop bus service from Union Station to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). The contract will replace the LAX FlyAway service pilot program, which used diesel fuel buses, with a new fleet of smaller buses fueled by compressed natural gas (CNG).
Los Angeles World Airport’s (LAWA) FlyAway at Union Station began operations March 2006 in partnership with Metro. During its first year, more than 250,000 passengers rode the non-stop bus service to LAX, exceeding ridership projections by threefold. Use of the current buses resulted in a savings of 4.3 million vehicle miles traveled and in a reduction of 54,657 pounds of vehicle emissions since service inception.
"The FlyAway service from Union Station is a proven success at reducing traffic congestion to and from LAX and reducing vehicle emissions," said Gina Marie Lindsey, executive director of LAWA. "By establishing this service long-term and replacing the fleet with clean-fueled buses, the entire city benefits both from reduced traffic congestion and better air quality."
The new 21-passenger buses are expected to be more efficient for ridership levels during the 24-hour/7 days a week operation, and will have added benefits for LAX travelers. In addition to the comfortable reclining seats, the new CNG buses will offer free WiFi internet service and airline style snack trays on the seat backs. The new buses will be phased-in starting this December.
The FlyAway at Union Station and at the other two locations - Westwood and Van Nuys - also offer optional Airline and Baggage Check-in service for most domestic flights. This service allows passengers to check-in up to two pieces of luggage and receive an airline boarding pass from participating airlines for a separate $5 fee. Passengers using this service can go directly to passenger screening upon arrival at the airport, skipping ticketing or curbside check-in lines.
As an inter-modal transit center, Union Station provides a critical regional link for LAX passengers. FlyAway allows travelers using Metro Red and Gold Lines, Metrolink and Amtrak trains, DASH, Metro and various municipal bus operators to connect to LAX via Union Station. Union Station is also a vital transportation link for the nearly 60,000 commuters working in and around the airport.
The FlyAway operates from Union Station’s Patsaouras Transit Plaza Bus Stop 9, located on the east side of the station. Parking and passenger drop-off is accessed from Vignes Street. The buses depart Union Station every half hour between 5 a.m. and 1 a.m., and every hour from 1 a.m. to 5 a.m. FlyAway bus operations are compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
FlyAway fares are $4 one-way for adults, $2 for children ages 2-12, and children under age 2 ride free. The parking rate at Union Station is $6 per day.
The FlyAway bus service is part of the LAWA ground transportation initiative to improve passenger convenience and reduce traffic congestion and vehicle emissions by encouraging high-occupancy vehicle ridership as part of the LAX Master Plan Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program.
Bus schedules and parking information for all FlyAway locations is available on www.lawa.org/flyaway.
