How to get to and from LAX without wings

Travelers have a new reason to leave their cars at home when flying out of LAX: a soaring number of citations.

Last summer, airport police issued twice as many tickets to motorists at Los Angeles International as they did during the same period the year before. And the trend has continued in 2004.

“With increased security and closer scrutiny of drivers, citations are up,” said Capt. Alan Hyde, commanding officer of the Airport Police Department’s traffic services unit.

The increase isn’t surprising, given that the LAX police force grew 30% after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Many of the officers were hired expressly to keep traffic moving on the horseshoe-shaped access road. “We are more diligent about scrutinizing individuals and enforcing the three-minute rule for loading and unloading,” Hyde said. If drivers don’t conform, they’re ticketed.

How to avoid the hassle?

“We allow people three minutes. That’s all,” Hyde said. “If you’re picking someone up, don’t stop at the curb until the passenger is waiting on the curb.”

Officers often ask waiting motorists to move on but will issue a ticket if the driver gets out of the car or parks it and walks into a terminal. Cars left unattended at the curb are towed.

Another way to avoid the hassle: Find an alternate way to the airport, many of which are listed on the airport’s website, https://www.lawa.org . Here are some choices:

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City buses

to LAX

Going to LAX on a city bus can be convenient and direct if you live near Metropolitan Transportation Authority routes or can get a connection or lift to one. Information is available on the website, https://www.mta.net , or by calling (800) COMMUTE (266-6883).

The bus is usually the cheapest way to go: $1.25 is the standard fare, excluding transfers and rates for seniors and disabled riders. Santa Monica’s Big Blue Bus charges 75 cents.

Several bus routes stop at the LAX City Bus Center on 96th Street east of Sepulveda Boulevard, by Parking Lot C. Walk 150 feet to the Lot C shuttle bus pickup spot. The C shuttle is free and leaves every few minutes.

MTA offers frequent service to LAX on many routes, including from Redondo Beach (Line 439), Union Station (42), Long Beach (232), Rancho Palos Verdes (225), West Hollywood (220) and Downey (117).

Bus agencies from three other cities run lines to the center near Lot C: Santa Monica Big Blue Bus No. 3, which originates at UCLA, (310) 451-5444, https://www.bigbluebus.com ; Culver City Bus No. 6, which also originates at UCLA, (310) 253-6500, https://www.culvercity.org/deptsbus.html ; and Torrance Transit Route No. 8, (310) 618-6266, https://www.ci.torrance.ca.us/city/dept/transit .

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Airport buses

Among airport bus lines serving the Southland:

Van Nuys FlyAway Bus: The bus offers 24-hour service from the Van Nuys Airport Bus Terminal, 7610 Woodley Ave.; (818) 994-5554. Rates are $3.50 one way for adults, $1.75 for children ages 2 to 12. Parking is $4 per day with a 15-day limit.

Airport Bus: This line serves Orange County, with buses departing Anaheim from 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily and leaving LAX from 6 a.m. to midnight; (800) 772-5299, https://www.airportbus.com . Rates are $16 one way for adults, $9 for children ages 3 to 11.

Airport Bus of Bakersfield: Buses depart downtown Bakersfield 3:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily; (800) 858-5000, https://www.coachusa.com . Rates are $27 one way for adults, $13.50 for kids 6 to 12.

Ventura County Airporter: Buses leave the Ventura Sheraton Hotel eight times daily; (805) 650-6600, https://www.venturashuttle.com . Rates are $30 (with reservations and advance payment) one way for adults, $15 for children younger than 12.

Santa Barbara Airbus: Buses leave seven times daily, making pickups at three area locations; (800) 423-1618, https://www.sbairbus.com . Rates are $36 (with reservations and advance payment) one way for adults and children.

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Taxis

Cabs may be cheaper for people traveling short distances or riding with others.

Travelers should be aware of safety problems with “bandit” or unlicensed taxis. Use only licensed cab companies, which often offer flat rates to LAX. Avoid unlicensed taxis at LAX by going to official taxi stands at each terminal, monitored and controlled by airport employees. Cabs at those stands must display the seal of the L.A. Department of Transportation and can’t refuse to take you short distances.

A $2.50 surcharge is added to all taxi fares leaving LAX. There is a flat rate of $38 ($40.50 with surcharge) between LAX and downtown L.A.

Shuttles

Dozens of van, car and limousine companies serve area airports, and comparing prices is usually worthwhile.

At LAX, only two shuttle companies — SuperShuttle and Prime Time — are allowed to pick up “walk-up” passengers, although you can schedule a pickup by other carriers.

Shuttle fares usually are 30% to 70% cheaper than a taxi for travelers who are alone, but couples or groups will find taxis competitively priced.

Prime Time Shuttle: (800) RED-VANS (733-8267) or (310) 342-7200, https://www.primetimeshuttle.com .

SuperShuttle:(310) 782-6600, (323) 775-6600, (213) 688-0444 or (714) 517-6600, https://www.supershuttle.com .

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Drop-off policies

After 9/11, area airports restricted the kinds of vehicles — cars, taxis, shuttles and limousines — that were allowed to drop off or pick up passengers curbside at terminals. Most have ended those restrictions and have reverted to their old rules. For current information, check with the airports or their websites.

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Information

Information desks at all the airports have copies of mass transit schedules, and they post them for passengers.

MetroLink: For schedules and information, (800) 371-5465, https://www.metrolinktrains.com .

Amtrak: (800) 872-7245, https://www.amtrakcalifornia.com .

MTA and Metro Rail: (800) COMMUTE (266-6883), https://www.mta.net .