Burbank Airport doubles down on rail access

Burbank’s Bob Hope Airport has been a favorite of Los Angelenos for years with its abundant flights, shorts lines, and no-hassle convenience compared to big brother LAX. Soon there may be another reason to head to the Valley for your next flight out: the airport is moving forward with a second rail connection designed to bring travelers direct to the terminal.

Burbank Airport currently has rail service courtesy of the Ventura Line of Metrolink… and that’s already one more train than LAX has. The new line – made possible by a $1.75 million commitment from the Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport Authority – will be a stop on the current Antelope Valley Line. Total cost will be in excess of $3 million, but Metro is picking up the difference. The two stations will bracket the airport – the Ventura stop is on the south side at W. Empire Drive, and the new one will be placed on the north side at Hollywood Way & San Fernando Road.

MTA executive officer Don Sepulveda thinks it’s a no-brainer: “We believe that this is a very important station for not just the airport but also the Metrolink system, and it really enhances the regional connectivity that I know the airport is interested in.” And that’s not even all that’s planned. Metro wants to put a Red Line subway station at the airport as well, which could get green-lighted if Measure R2 gets approval this November… of course it still needs to get on the ballot, but this is still exciting news.

There’s no construction schedule yet in place or even a start date, but airport executive director Dan Feger is ready to go: “Don’t tie it up with a lot of studies and delays and whatnot. Move the project forward in an expeditious fashion.”

Are you already using Burbank Airport for your out-of-town travel? If not, you might want to start.