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I've been told that the fare has increased to $4.00 (which I was able to verify by phone) and that the schedule is now hourly (which the website and phone message say is not so). Anybody have any recent experience? I know that it has always been hourly between 1AM and 5AM but hope they haven't cut the daytime schedule.
Frank in dark but still warm SBA
RussM Member # 3627
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I took the Flyaway from LAX to Union Station on Labor Day, at about 6:00 AM. As I recall, I waited about 45 minutes for the bus. It was my impression that they were not trying too hard to keep to a rigid schedule. The fare was $ 4.00. I was surprised that the bus did not have a Union Station sign. The bus just pulled up to the curb, and the driver said, "Where are you going ?"
RRRICH Member # 1418
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My wife was in L.A. a few weeks ago and took the bus from Union Station to LAX Airport -- I assume that is the "Flyaway" bus? I believe the fare she paid was $4.00
sbalax Member # 2801
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An e-mail from the "Flyaway" folks confirms that the fare is now $4.00 each way for adults and that the busses run every half hour except between 1AM and 5AM when they are hourly. They didn't mention anything about holiday schedules.
I've found this service to be prompt and reliable and very probably the fastest way to get between Union Station and LAX.
Frank in sunny SBA
Jack_S Member # 3069
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I often use the Union Station-Red line-*4 Bus (Sunset Blvd) connection to get to my Oncologist's clinic in West Hollywood for treatment. One day I saw a middle aged woman wrestling a suitcase and a carry-on onto the subway. We ended up on the #4 and had a brief conversation. She had come into LAX (airport not RR station) and was headed to UCLA, which is one stop for the #4 Bus.
At the airport she was told to get to UCLA by taking the Flyaway bus all the way crosstown to Union Station. Then she had to take the Subway and Bus #4 3/4 of the way back across town to UCLA, traveling the other way on some of the same streets.
Yhis in spite of several routes that would have gotten her from LAX to UCLA quicker and cheaper. But most of them would have involved using the Santa Monica Big Blue Bus system for at least part of the trip. And I guess they didn't want to give up even one customer, no matter how inconvenient the trip.
Most LA people know of the other transit lines and they are online, but out-of-towners don't even know to look.
Jack
sbalax Member # 2801
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Jack--
I don't know who at the airport gave her that information but there is a Flyaway that goes non-stop from LAX (the airport) to UCLA (the parking structure on Kinross). It operates on much the same schedule as the Union Station and Van Nuys Flyaways and is also $4.00.
It's pretty sad that there are not good information points in the terminals like you find in many other airports. Traveler's Aide might be some help but I think they are more for folks in distress.
Frank in unusually warm SBA
Railroad Bob Member # 3508
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I used Flyaway from LAX to LAUS on 12 November last month after returning from China (see my post in International<shameless plug ) and it was a pretty positive experience. I only had to wait about 15 minutes for the bus and our operator, Sylvia, was friendly, professional and an excellent driver. She had us at Union Station in about 25 minutes flat, but it was late morning and after the rush hour. I'm guessing it would be a bit longer in those times. My only little complaint was the downright mean, surly attendant in the booth at the Transit Plaza; she looked up irritatedly from the Bill O'Reilly book she was reading, slammed it shut and rudely took my $4.00 without a word, then returned to her book. Here is someone who hates her job, but the main driver was superb.
sbalax Member # 2801
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There was a large display ad in the Travel Section of today's (11/9/07) Los Angeles Times for the three Flyaway Services with complete information on times, parking, fares, etc. for each location.
posted ![[Wink]](wink.gif)
) and it was a pretty positive experience. I only had to wait about 15 minutes for the bus and our operator, Sylvia, was friendly, professional and an excellent driver. She had us at Union Station in about 25 minutes flat, but it was late morning and after the rush hour. I'm guessing it would be a bit longer in those times. My only little complaint was the downright mean, surly attendant in the booth at the Transit Plaza; she looked up irritatedly from the Bill O'Reilly book she was reading, slammed it shut and rudely took my $4.00 without a word, then returned to her book. Here is someone who hates her job, but the main driver was superb.