Area’s Only Direct Bus Route to LAX Is Suspended

The only direct bus service between the San Gabriel Valley and Los Angeles International Airport has been temporarily discontinued, a spokesman for a bus company said last week.

The company, Airport Coach, had been operating the Pasadena-Monrovia-LAX airport route since Oct. 4, when it bought FunBus Systems’ AirLink service.

In an agreement with financially strapped FunBus, Airport Coach operated the service while waiting for the state Public Utilities Commission to approve the sale and transfer the operating authority for the routes. Airport Coach was continuing the service under the FunBus contract with LAX.

But soon after the sale, the airport terminated its contract with FunBus because the company owed an estimated $50,000 in unpaid fees and rent for space at the airport.

As a result, LAX officials notified Airport Coach that it could no longer pick up passengers at the airport unless FunBus pays its debt or the utilities commission transfers operating authority to Airport Coach. There are no restrictions on dropping off passengers at the airport.

Because of a 30-day public notice requirement, the utilities commission cannot take action on the authority transfer application until Nov. 23.

Airport Coach applied for emergency operating authority and continued to provide one-way service to the airport, at a $3,000- to $4,000-a-day loss, said Charles Allee, president of Airport Coach. The bus had stopped at the Pasadena Hilton and the Holiday Inn in Monrovia.

But the loss took its toll on the company last week.

“We have to cut it out until we have the official certification,” Allee said. “It’s not the (monetary) loss alone. It’s the confusion. We are creating more confusion by trying to run (one way),” he said.

The buses, with capacity for 47 passengers, were carrying about 30 passengers per run in early October, but with the one-way service, ridership had dwindled to an average of 15 per trip by this month, he said.

Airport officials have instructed information booth staffers to tell the public that there is no scheduled bus service to the Pasadena area.

Bill Schulte, program manager of the utility commission’s transportation, economics and analysis branch, said the commission is trying its best to help Airport Coach gain authorization.

‘Hands Are Tied’

“I wish there was something we could do about it,” said Schulte. “Unfortunately, our hands are tied.” He said the commission cannot change the public notice waiver requirement and, in the interim, it is up to airport officials to allow pickups by Airport Coach.

But airport officials would not grant temporary permission.

“In keeping with having a level playing field, everybody has to play by the rules,” said Joseph Clair, manager of the airport’s ground operations. He said that by insisting on authorized bus operators, the airport can make sure that operators pay their airport fees and carry insurance.

“That’s why we structure our contracts so that you’ll only deal with those who are legally authorized by the PUC to operate.

“If you break the rules for one, then you have to be willing to break it for others,” Clair said.

Van shuttle services such as SuperShuttle that are authorized to operate the Pasadena-LAX route reported a boom in business in the area.

Flood of Calls

But passengers who had counted on catching the less expensive bus have been bombarding hotel and community officials with calls complaining about the cutbacks in service.

“The community is suffering because people can’t get back from LAX,” said Bruce Ackerman, executive vice president of the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce. Many San Gabriel Valley residents cannot afford to pay for taxis or van shuttle services to the airport, he said.

The bus had cost $8.50 one way and $16 round trip. SuperShuttle charges $12 one way from the Hilton and a Checker Cab Co. employee said it could cost $45 for the same trip by taxi. But service from residences can be more costly. For example, SuperShuttle charges $18 for door-to-door service in Pasadena, $40 in Monrovia and $40 in Pomona.

“It’s forcing people to drive to LAX, adding congestion to the highway,” said Ackerman. He was also concerned about potential problems as the holiday season approaches.

“If that thing is not running by then, we’re in serious trouble,” he said.

Bert James, general manager of the Pasadena Hilton, said that the cutbacks affect mainly San Gabriel Valley residents and not hotel guests, since more than 70% of bus passengers had not stayed at the hotel.

“Our business isn’t off, but people are mad as hell,” said James.