FlyAway Bus

FlyAway Bus

FlyAway Bus at Union Station
Parent	Los Angeles World Airports
Founded	1975
Locale	Los Angeles County, California
Service area	United States
Service type	Airport shuttle
Routes	4
Fuel type	Diesel, Compressed Natural Gas
Operator	Coach America
Web site	FlyAway

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.

FlyAway sign at LAX

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.

Van Nuys

Panorama of the Van Nuys Flyaway bus station

Van Nuys FlyAway Bus Terminal and Parking Structure

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.

Union Station

FlyAway Bus at Union Station

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.

Westwood

Westwood FlyAway Bus at Kinross bus stop.

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.

Irvine

Irvine Transportation Center.

The LAX FlyAway from Irvine operates from the Irvine Transportation Center. 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.