LOS ANGELES (CNS) - Los Angeles World Airport announced today that its FlyAway bus service will be free to all federal workers during the ongoing partial government shutdown, and it also will defer billing for federal employees parking at its lots.
Thousands of federal workers, primarily from the Transportation Security Administration, Customs and Border Protection and the Federal Aviation Administration, are working without pay at Los Angeles International Airport and Van Nuys Airport.
``When TSA agents or air traffic controllers come to work at our airports, the only thing on their mind should be how to ensure the safety of our passengers and our airways -- not whether they'll receive their next paycheck,'' Mayor Eric Garcetti said.
``While the president plays politics with the livelihoods of federal workers, we are doing our part to help them make ends meet.''
The Flyaway bus service offers a direct trip to LAX for a small fee from various locations around the city. An employee monthly pass currently is $120.To assist federal employees, Garcetti's office previously announced several initiatives, including deferring water, power and sanitation fees. The office also is working with LAWA and other partners to assist in the collection and distribution of food and household necessities.
``Our TSA, CBP and FAA colleagues operate on the frontlines of keeping our airports safe, secure and efficient, and we want them all to know how much we appreciate them and the sacrifices being made by them and their families right now,'' LAWA CEO Deborah Flint said.
``I want to thank all of our employees and partners who have stepped up to provide assistance during these difficult times, and I encourage our community to join in supporting these workers.''
LAWA said earlier this month it began collecting food, toiletries, diapers and paper goods internally for federal employees in need of assistance, and a temporary pantry opened last week, hosted at the Airport Police Division. Since its opening, more than 175 federal employees and their families have used the facility, LAWA said.
LAWA also is launching a website that acts as a clearinghouse for information on resources available for federal employees, including information on low-cost loans, waivers or deferments for utility and phone bills, information on applying for unemployment insurance, and other assistance being provided by LAWA and its partners.
The website can be found at: http://www.lawafedsupport.org/.