December 22, 2004
CONTACT-- 
Dave Sotero/Marc Littman
Metro MEDIA RELATIONS
(213) 922-3007/(213) 922-2700
www.metro.net/press/pressroom
e-mail-- mediarelations@metro.net
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Metro Offers Travelers a Way to Beat Holiday Traffic Crunch to and from County Airports

• With airports expecting larger holiday crowds, extensive public transit services to airports offer a way to avoid congestion, parking fees

With Los Angeles County airports expecting greater numbers of holiday air travelers this year than last, Metro Bus and Rail lines can help alleviate airport traffic congestion and save travelers money on vehicle parking fees.

This year the Los Angeles International Airport expects 2.8 million travelers to pass through its gates this holiday season, about a 7 percent increase over last year. The county's two other commercial airports - Long Beach and Bob Hope - also anticipate greater traffic loads during the holiday season. That means more traffic and less available parking.

Metro Bus and Rail lines are an inexpensive convenient alternative. Metro operates several bus lines for travelers going to LAX:

• Line 42 - service between Patsaouras Transit Center in downtown Los Angeles and LAX City Bus Center.

• Line 40 Owl - late night service from Downtown L.A. to LAX City Bus Center.

• Line 220 -- service between West Los Angeles and LAX City Bus Center.

• Line 111 - service between Whittier and LAX City Bus Center.

• Line 117 - service between Downey and LAX City Bus Center.

• Line 220 - service between West Hollywood and LAX City Bus Center.

• Line 232 - service between Long Beach Transit Mall and LAX City Bus Center.

• Line 315 - service between Playa Del Rey, LAX City Bus Center and Norwalk.

• Line 439 - service between Patsauras Transit Plaza in Downtown Los Angeles, LAX City Bus Center and Redondo Beach.

• Line 625 - service between Westchester, Aviation/ I-105 Metro Green Line Station and LAX City Bus Center.

Metro also operates the Norwalk to Redondo Beach Metro Green Line, which connects with free shuttle service to LAX terminals from the Aviation/I-105 station.

Four Metro Bus lines serve the Bob Hope Airport in Burbank:

• Line 94/394 - service between downtown Los Angeles, Bob Hope Airport and Sylmar.

• Line 163 - service between West Hills, Bob Hope Airport and Hollywood.

• Line 165 - service between Canoga Park and Bob Hope Airport.

• Line 169 - weekend service only to Bob Hope Airport.

Bus service to Long Beach Airport is provided by Long Beach Transit:

• LBT Line 111 - Service between Lakewood Mall, Long Beach Airport and Long Beach Convention Center and Transit Mall.

Metrolink provides 14 weekday trains from Los Angeles to Bob Hope Airport. Another 13 trains travel from Los Angeles to Burbank Station, where passengers can walk or get a free shuttle to the airport. On Friday, Dec. 24, Metrolink will operate a Saturday schedule on only the San Bernardino and Antelope Valley lines. Metrolink will not run trains on Christmas Day, Dec. 25. Sunday, Dec. 26, the San Bernardino line will operate on a regular Sunday schedule. Friday, Dec. 31, Metrolink will operate a Saturday schedule on only the San Bernardino and Antelope Valley lines. Metrolink is offering special New Year's Day service on its San Bernardino and Orange County lines for parade goers. Riders need only present their Metrolink fares to be given free access on board Metro trains for transportation to the parade.

Taking Metro to the airport also saves travelers money. Daily parking rates at these airports can range from $7 to $30 per day. Metro Bus and Rail tickets currently cost $1.25 for a one-way trip. Purchase of a Metro Day pass allows travelers to traverse the entire Metro Bus and Rail system for $3. The pass is good from the time of purchase until 3 a.m. the next morning.

All Metro Buses, including those going to local airports, will adhere to their normal operating schedules during the holidays, but will follow a less frequent holiday schedule on Christmas Day and New Year's Day.

Travelers can plan their trips using the interactive Trip Planner on Metro's web site at metro.net or by calling 1-800-COMMUTE.

METRO-216

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