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Going To LAX? Check Out This Journalist's Odyssey From Pasadena To The Airport On Public Transit
Meghna Chakrabarti was armed with a stopwatch and a handy TAP card.
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Left: Valerie Macon/AFP via Getty Images | Right: Courtesy of Liz Linder Photography
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It's no secret that getting to LAX can be a hassle. That's why next week you'll get an in-depth guide to the airport's hacks, history and future.
But if you want a glimpse of just how time-consuming the trek can be now, Meghna Chakrabarti, host of WBUR's On Point, is your new expert. She traveled from Pasadena to Los Angeles International Airport on public transit after joining KPCC/LAist for Public Radio Palooza — and dared to live tweet the whole shebang.
Dear @laist @kpcc. I hear that you’re looking for transportation hacks to LAX? I don’t have a hack. But am currently an out of towner on a public transit odyssey from Pasadena to LAX. Interested?
— Meghna Chakrabarti (@MeghnaWBUR) July 13, 2022
With a stopwatch at the ready, Chakrabarti began her journey at the Memorial Park Metro station. The big question: How long would it take her to get to LAX? Follow along to find out.
Buy TaP card. A machine that actually works AND DISPENSES CARDS. DO YOU HEAR THAT @mbta?
— Meghna Chakrabarti (@MeghnaWBUR) July 13, 2022
Ok. Figured it out. Five minute wait. Train is here. Pretty good rolling stock, though my baseline is our beloved @MBTA, so you know, not a super high bar. pic.twitter.com/a71Qx8RDDk
— Meghna Chakrabarti (@MeghnaWBUR) July 13, 2022
Sponsored message
Palm trees. Cliff hugging homes. Cars everywhere. Nice views from the train. Station signage. Not bad. Apologies for the camera flicker. pic.twitter.com/zdKEFavdIL
— Meghna Chakrabarti (@MeghnaWBUR) July 13, 2022
I got this from a WORKING MACHINE. @mbta - Goals!
— Meghna Chakrabarti (@MeghnaWBUR) July 13, 2022
(Sorry LA, Boston folks know of the brave quest one must undertake to find a Charlie Card) pic.twitter.com/coaxzWz43I
Found it. Ticket: $9.75.
— Meghna Chakrabarti (@MeghnaWBUR) July 13, 2022
Makes total for Pasadena to LAX:
$2 - TAP card
$1.75 - Rail Fair
$9.75 - FlyAway bus
= $13.50
(Uber and Lyft were showing me between $56-$80, but a 28 min trip vs 1h, so depends on how you put a monetary value on your time) pic.twitter.com/20haLYUGZJ
LAXFlyaway bus, pretty standard. Clean and in good condition. pic.twitter.com/XLCC7Tovaq
— Meghna Chakrabarti (@MeghnaWBUR) July 13, 2022
And now….traaaaaaaaaafic. No bus only lane on the freeway! A girl can dream.
— Meghna Chakrabarti (@MeghnaWBUR) July 13, 2022
Picture doesn’t capture the fact that we are moving at a speedy 10mph. Gonna be a long last couple of miles. pic.twitter.com/80E4fNofy8
Total travel time: 1h44 minutes. Pasadena to LAX.
— Meghna Chakrabarti (@MeghnaWBUR) July 13, 2022
Hotel - Union Station: 40m
Wait at Union: 23m
Union to LAX: 41m
It cost 1/6 the price of an Uber, but took 3x longer. That’s the trade off. But if you’ve got time to chill, it was a surprisingly chill way to get to LAX. pic.twitter.com/Jrl8ub8Ptv
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You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
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