The Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) has received 36 low floor Spirit of America Trolleys from Specialty Vehicles, which will be used in the shuttle portion of the newly launched LAX-it program.
The program started transporting people from outside baggage claim areas to the LAX pick-up lot, where they then meet their taxi, Uber or Lyft ride. The service began in late October and was designed to relieve several lanes of congested passenger pick-ups through the Los Angeles airport loop.
The lime green and black Spirit of America low floor trolleys run 24 hours a day servicing the loop of all nine terminals at the airport. Passengers who arrive out of the Terminal 1 can choose to skip the trolley ride and walk to the LAX-it Uber/Lyft pick up area. Passengers arriving from the other terminals will find the trolleys as they exit the baggage claim area. Trolleys arrive at each terminal approximately every five to 10 minutes. Currently, between 18,000 and 20,000 passengers are utilizing these trolleys each day.
The Los Angeles World Airport Group approached Specialty Vehicles approximately a year ago in search of a low floor vehicle that could meet their requested passenger capacity and delivery timeline. The Spirit of America trolley met both requirements and the airport was able to start taking delivery of the units in August.
The trolleys are 35-foot, low-floor units with dual doors, a Braun W/C ramp, Wi-Fi and passenger counting systems. They were manufactured by ARBOC Specialty Vehicles and are sold exclusively by Specialty Vehicles. First Transit in Los Angeles is operating the system for LAX.
