New Metrolink Station Prompts Burbank Bus Route

Burbank’s city-operated bus line will start a new route on May 14 that will serve a new Metrolink station near the Hollywood Burbank Airport. The BurbankBus Golden State Circulator route replaces the existing Empire-Downtown route that ceases service as of May 11. The circulator will operate every 15 minutes between 6 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. weekdays to serve the Burbank Airport-North Metrolink Station, Empire Center, and business and residential areas. Adam Emmer, transportation services manager for the city, said the new bus route is the result of planning that started in December 2016 when the Burbank City Council approved an agreement with Metrolink, Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority and Los Angeles to operate the Burbank Airport-North Metrolink station, which opens on May 14. “The new Golden State Circular route provides improved service frequency and a more direct connection to the Metrolink Antelope Valley Line,” Emmer said in a statement. The circulator will cost about $175,000 to operate annually, a $27,000 savings from the annual cost for the Empire-Downtown route. The cost savings could potentially offset some of the cost to operate and maintain the new Burbank Airport-North Metrolink Station, the city said.