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Post by Dan Wentzel on Mar 12, 2012 10:37:45 GMT -8
The attached article here showed that Burbank Airport is having some difficulties: Tough times at Burbank airport after airline's departureFrom the Article: Airport spokesman Victor Gill said the transit center is needed to integrate the airfield with the region's public transportation system and improve convenience for rental-car customers. The current car rental offices are also too close to a runway, according to FAA standards. The goal, Gill said, is to make the airport more public-transit friendly and environmentally responsibleBetter public transit integration with this airport is something many of us support. One dream some advocates have is extending the Red Line, or the Orange Line, to Burbank Airport. What if Burbank Airport started offering a free shuttle between the North Hollywood station and Burbank Airport? Or even the Downtown Burbank Metrolink station, especially if that becomes a future High Speed Rail project. Many of us would even be happier with more frequent and reliable Metro 222 bus service in the meantime.
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Post by LAofAnaheim on Mar 12, 2012 11:36:26 GMT -8
The attached article here showed that Burbank Airport is having some difficulties: Tough times at Burbank airport after airline's departureFrom the Article: Airport spokesman Victor Gill said the transit center is needed to integrate the airfield with the region's public transportation system and improve convenience for rental-car customers. The current car rental offices are also too close to a runway, according to FAA standards. The goal, Gill said, is to make the airport more public-transit friendly and environmentally responsibleBetter public transit integration with this airport is something many of us support. One dream some advocates have is extending the Red Line, or the Orange Line, to Burbank Airport. What if Burbank Airport started offering a free shuttle between the North Hollywood station and Burbank Airport? Or even the Downtown Burbank Metrolink station, especially if that becomes a future High Speed Rail project. Many of us would even be happier with more frequent and reliable Metro 222 bus service in the meantime. Metro did a free Burbank Airport - NoHo station service (http://www.metro.net/around/maps/go-metro-bob-hope-airport/), it was a free super shuttle but you had to call ahead and let them know you were arriving to NoHo. Burbank Airport should partner with Metrolink and offer more frequent train service to LAUS. That would be a big selling point. Obviously, once Metrolink can offer run-through tracks service through LAUS (i.e. direct OC to Burbank Airport or SB to Burbank Airport service), then the convenience to Burbank Airport would be significant. The other option is extending the Red and Orange Lines, but Metrolink is already there. With a few minor tweaks, it can be a major source of passenger convenience. Metrolink only runs weekdays to Burbank - Bob hope Airport (http://www.metrolinktrains.com/schedules/line/name/Burbank-Bob%20Hope%20Airport/service_id/1145.html). This needs to be addressed first.
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Post by bzcat on Mar 12, 2012 13:16:50 GMT -8
In my opinion, BUR should focus on better connection to North Hollywood Red/Orange line station rather than trying to expand Metrolink. The reality of Metrolink is that it will never achieve the non-commute hour/weekend frequencies that will be needed to make an airport rail service effective. And because it is a smallish airport, it will never have the passenger counts that can realistically support a high level of Metrolink service by itself.
Metrolink to BUR works in theory but the lack of frequency is a big problem for business travelers. The lack of frequent mid day and Sunday afternoon/evening service (when a lot of business travel begin) means you can't really depend on it. It's the same problem as the LAX Irvine FlyAway... there is a potentially large user base but the lack of frequency means those users won't take the chance to use it. It's the classic chicken or the eggs problem in public transit.
A more cost effective and realistic solution is the a 10 minute headway bus link to Red/Orange line. It will cost a fair amount of money but it will be a dependable/frequent service that get people to and from BUR.
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Post by Dan Wentzel on Mar 14, 2012 10:05:03 GMT -8
Metro did a free Burbank Airport - NoHo station service (http://www.metro.net/around/maps/go-metro-bob-hope-airport/), it was a free super shuttle but you had to call ahead and let them know you were arriving to NoHo. The "having to call ahead" part just discourages use. A regular shuttle bus that goes back and forth, that you don't have to plan ahead on will attract more riders. But it is better than nothing. However, the airport is still thinking in terms of "parking revenue". Of course, more passengers period attracts more airline flights which attracts more parking revenue.
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Post by James Fujita on Mar 14, 2012 10:59:37 GMT -8
For what it's worth, this Regional Intermodal Transit Center sounds like a pretty good idea. Rail, bus and rental car all in one location, with moving sidewalks to the terminal. The free shuttle also seems like a pretty good idea, although expanded Metrolink service would be better. The Burbank Airport station is much closer to the terminals than the Green Line ever will be to LAX (although you don't have to call ahead for the Green Line shuttle.) And it is directly on the Ventura County Line, so any expansion of service on that line should include expansion of service to the airport. Nobody has ever given Metrolink the funding it needs to really expand into the better system it ought to be. Metrolink improvement should be considered every bit as important as Metro Rail construction.
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Post by Dan Wentzel on Mar 14, 2012 12:13:50 GMT -8
Nobody has ever given Metrolink the funding it needs to really expand into the better system it ought to be. Metrolink improvement should be considered every bit as important as Metro Rail construction. Absolutely. Commuter rail is considered a huge part of transportation in most major metropolitan areas in the world.
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Post by matthewb on Mar 15, 2012 1:42:48 GMT -8
Absolutely. Commuter rail is considered a huge part of transportation in most major metropolitan areas in the world. I would go a step further and not call it "commuter rail." Just like the S-Bahn in Germany and the RER in France, it can be like an express Metro line. This doesn't make sense everywhere, and it would be much better if we didn't have to use such heavy FRA compliant trains, but the sections connecting major nodes that aren't very far apart could definitely stand 15-30 minute headways (with a long term goal of 10-15 minutes once ridership is proven). LA-OC and LA-Burbank would be the two sections I would nominate to initiate this level of service. The San Bernardino line has the highest ridership, but I think pretty extensive track upgrades will be necessary due to single track sections. I understand that there are some upgrades planned that will enable more frequent service, though.
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