Last Updated on September 10, 2016 by CCAR Staff
ONTARIO >> For the first time in a decade, Omnitrans now offers direct bus service to LA/Ontario International Airport.
Since Tuesday, Route 80 has been realigned to make hourly stops at both terminals, said Nicole Ramos, spokeswoman for Omnitrans.
The route change was in response to public interest in having a bus stop closer than one that’s just outside of the airport on Holt Boulevard and Vineyard Avenue.
On Friday morning, just four days after the launch, the bus stop just east of Terminal 4 was empty during the 7:49 a.m. and 8:49 a.m. stops.
But officials aren’t worried.
“It’s not really busy yet, but as times goes on they’ll find out,” field supervisor Johnny Urrutia said. “It’s a good convenience for people when they find out.”
Ramos points to the launch of its first rapid bus service, sbX, which was slow to garner initial traffic. There have been more than 1 million boardings between April 2014 and March 2016 on that service, Ramos said.
In order to add the new stop, Omnitrans realigned Route 80 from its current path to continue south on Vineyard Avenue to Airport Drive then head east to the airport, instead of traveling on Holt Boulevard to the Ontario Civic Center Transfer Center.
Riders who need to head east or west can make a connection on Route 61 which can go as far west as Pomona or Fontana to the northeast.
By adding the stops at the airport, officials hope it helps change traveler’s mind-sets to be more transit-oriented.
“There’s that perception that you have to ride the bus only if you have to. But, if we have things that work well for people, like the rapid transit lines and express lines, then it becomes a better option,” Ramos said.
With daily fare $1.75, it’s also an affordable alternative, Urrutia said.
“I know when they start finding out prices and convenience they’ll start taking the bus,” Urrutia said.
In addition, Route 290 is expanding due to customer demand. It’s not only starting an hour earlier – at 4:30 a.m. – the route now will run throughout the day. In the past the route was only offered in the morning and peak afternoon hours.
For more information, call 800-966-6428 or visit www.omnitrans.org.
