Tourists and residents in Hollywood may now have a convenient option to get to LAX, as Los Angeles World Airports has launched an $8 FlyAway bus service that runs 15 minutes after each hour from 5:15 a.m. to 10:15 p.m. every day, including holidays.

Officials announced last week that the airport’s FlyAway service would be coming to Hollywood. It will run every day. (photo courtesy of Los Angeles World Airports)

Officials praised the announcement made last Wednesday, stating that the service would benefit locals while also enabling tourists to visit Hollywood without using a rental car. The bus stop is located at 6244 Hollywood Blvd., steps away from the Red Line.

“It’s great on so many levels,” Los Angeles City Councilman Mitch O’Farrell, 13th District, said. “It is so good for Hollywood. It makes it that much more accessible and that much more cost efficient for travelers.”

He said a similar service — referred to as the airport shuttle bus — existed in the early 1980s, and he recalls using it in 1982. However, it was discontinued for some reason a few years later, O’Farrell said.

“It was convenient, and I used to take it,” he added.

O’Farrell said the service was planned for Hollywood prior to him swearing in as a councilman, but his office worked with the airport to move the service away from their original proposed location, Hollywood Boulevard and Orange Drive. He said that location could have been disrupted by special events that are held in the area on occasion.

The councilman said the new service is located a block and a half from a 400-space parking structure, allowing people to drive and park if transit is not convenient for them. Tourists, though, could still use the nearby transit and experience a lot of Los Angeles, he said.

“You’re connected to the whole entire service,” O’Farrell added.

The bus stop is on the southeast corner of Hollywood Boulevard and Argyle Avenue, and airport representatives anticipate more than 125,000 passengers using the service in Hollywood, given the number of LAX passengers who originate from Hollywood.

Passengers will be dropped off at the departure level of each airline terminal, and they will be able to take the bus back to Hollywood from the arrival terminal. It will cost an additional $8 to take the service back.

The Hollywood stop is the airport’s fifth such FlyAway location. An LAX representative said the Westwood, Van Nuys and Union Station stops have been in existence for years, while the Santa Monica location is only a couple of months old.

“We absolutely think it’s a very positive development for Hollywood, both for residents and tourists,” said Leron Gubler, president and CEO of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce. “I think it’s going to be a win-win for everyone.”

He said people were boarding the bus prior to last week’s press conference, though he still isn’t sure how they knew about it.

Gubler said the addition of the bus service speaks to the recognition of Hollywood being one of the top tourist destinations in L.A., as well as the importance of Hollywood. O’Farrell agreed.

“The addition of the FlyAway service will help us build on all the elements that make Hollywood a world-class destination,” he added.

In a statement, Councilman Tom LaBonge, 4th District, also praised airport representatives for providing an additional way for tourists and residents to get to and from LAX.

“This new expansion is just one step closer to the future progression of transportation in Los Angeles,” he said. “Now, thanks to [Los Angeles World Airports] executive director Gina Marie Lindsey and the LAX team, the new FlyAway service will be cost-effective, benefitting our residents and visitors who travel through our great city.”

Lindsey said the service has “great” potential for encouraging travelers to use the bus in lieu of driving their personal vehicles to and from the airport.

“We believe the service will be attractive to business travelers and tourists visiting the Hollywood area for business or leisure,” she added.

For information, call (866)IFLY-LAX or visit www.laxflyaway.org.