Glendale Beeline is the municipal bus and paratransit service which serves the city of Glendale, California, United States. It provides service in Glendale, as well as parts of nearby Burbank, La Cañada Flintridge and La Crescenta-Montrose. The system functions primarily as a community circulator that complements the regional transit services provided by the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro).
History Early history Following National City Lines' sale of its Glendale operations to Los Angeles Metropolitan Transit Authority in 1962, Glendale lacked a municipal bus system. To remedy this, the Glendale Beeline, operated by Pacific Busing, was launched in December 1984 as a shuttle bus system for downtown Glendale. Fares were 25 cents for general riders and 15 cents for the elderly and disabled. In 1985, a transfer agreement was reached with Southern California Rapid Transit District.
In 1989, the City of Glendale purchased the Glendale Southern Pacific Railroad Depot, and soon thereafter began acquiring surrounding properties with the intent of creating a transportation center to be used by Beeline.
After Pacific Busing was acquired by Laidlaw in 1989, it did not renew its contract to operate the Beeline. A new contract was awarded in 1990 to Medi-Ride, which already operated Glendale's "Dial-A-Ride" paratransit service.
After pausing fare collection in 1990, fares was reintroduced in 1993. The reintroduction of fares allowed Beeline to expand beyond downtown Glendale, adding service to Adventist Health Glendale, Glendale Community College and La Crescenta-Montrose. Restarting fare collection also enabled the city to upgrade its shuttle buses to full-size busses.
Following several safety incidents during Medi-Ride's operation of the Beeline, the Glendale City Council awarded a new, 3-year contract to Mayflower Contract Services in 1993.
With the 1992 introduction of Metrolink commuter rail, Beeline service was expanded to the Glendale Transportation Center. Following the 1994 Northridge Earthquake, Metrolink rapidly accelerated its expansion of its Santa Clarita line to the Antelope Valley, resulting in an increase in Beeline use.
Modern history
In 1999, the Glendale Transportation Center's adjoining bus station opened, thereby becoming an intermodal passenger transport center. On the 9.5-acre area surrounding the train station, a 750-space parking lot was built, landscaping and lighting was improved, and a bay for 10 buses was established.
Following Laidlaw's 2001 bankruptcy, the contract to operate the Beeline system was awarded to MV Transportation.
In 2009, a compressed natural gas filling station opened at the Glendale Transportation Center.
In December 2013, Glendale Beeline became the first public transit agency in Los Angeles County to operate with all low-floor buses.
By 2016, Beeline had outgrown its existing maintenance facility, leading to the construction of an administration, maintenance and operations facility adjacent to the Glendale Transportation Center. Construction began in 2018. The RNL Architecture-designed facility provides dedicated parking for the transit fleet of 37 buses and 9 "dial-a-ride" vans, as well as staff vehicles.
By 2020, Glendale Beeline was facing criticism from environmentalists for relying on compressed natural gas vehicles instead of converting its fleet to electric buses. In 2022, Glendale was awarded $34.6 million in Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program (TIRCP) funding from the California State Transportation Agency to electrify its bus fleet. The first electric Beeline bus debuted on Earth Day in 2025, with an additional twenty buses to be phased into the fleet over the following three years.
Fares and fare collection
The base fare for Beeline servicesis $1.00 for local buses and $2.00 for express buses. Discounted or free fares are available for seniors, disabled individuals, low-income individuals, and students.
Since 2008, fares can be paid with the TAP card, a contactless stored-value card. TAP cards are valid on Beeline buses and on 26 other transit agencies in Los Angeles County. Fare can also be paid with a contactless bank card and mobile wallet. Single-ride bus fares can still be paid in cash.
The City of La Cañada Flintridge pays the fare for passengers who board LCF Shuttle routes 33 and 34, and for passengers who board Glendale Beeline route 3 in La Cañada Flintridge only.
Transit passes EZ Transit Pass Passengers who use multiple transit agencies on a regular basis are encouraged to purchase a monthly EZ transit pass or a senior/disabled EZ transit pass. The EZ pass is a monthly pass valid for local travel on 27 public transit carriers throughout Los Angeles County.
GoPass In collaboration with Los Angeles Metro and Glendale Community College, Beeline participates in the GoPass program, allowing K-12 and community college students at participating schools to ride the system for free. Students are also able to ride on other participating transport agencies across the county for free, including the Metro's bus and rail services.
Low-Income Fare is Easy (LIFE) Low-income riders can use the Low-Income Fare is Easy (LIFE) Program for 20 free rides per month.
Fares Fare typeRegularSenior (62+) Disabled MedicareStudent (without GoPass) Student (with GoPass)NotesBase fare$1.00$0.50$1.00FreeExpress Routes$2.00$2.00$2.00Beeline Transfer$0.25$0.15$0.25Available with TAP card/Bank card only.Inter-Agency Transfer$0.50$0.25$0.50Available with TAP card/Bank card only.
Routes Local routes RouteTerminalsViaMajor connections and notes1Glendale Glendale Transportation CenterGlendale Central Av & Stocker StCentral Av Amtrak: Pacific Surfliner Metrolink: Amtrak Thruway Greyhound Lines Future connection to North Hollywood to Pasadena Bus Rapid Transit Project Major attractions: The Americana at Brand, Glendale Memorial Hospital and Health Center, Glendale Galleria3Downtown Glendale Harvard St & Louise StLa Cañada Flintridge Jet Propulsion LaboratoryGlendale Av, Verdugo Rd, Honolulu Av, La Crescenta Av, Foothill BlFuture connection to North Hollywood to Pasadena Bus Rapid Transit Project Major attractions: The Americana at Brand, Crescenta Valley High School, Glendale Civic Center, Glendale Community College - Verdugo Campus, Glendale Galleria, Incarnation Catholic Church and School, St. Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral, Museum of Neon Art31La Crescenta-Montrose La Crescenta Av & Montrose Av4Glendale Glendale Transportation CenterDowntown Glendale Glendale GalleriaChevy Chase Dr, Broadway, Harvard St Amtrak: Pacific Surfliner Metrolink: Amtrak Thruway Greyhound Lines Future connection to North Hollywood to Pasadena Bus Rapid Transit Project Major attractions: The Americana at Brand, Glendale Galleria, Glendale Civic Center, Glendale Community College - Garfield Campus, Glendale Memorial Hospital and Health Center, Museum of Neon Art5Glendale Pacific Av & Riverdale DrGlendale Herbert Hoover High SchoolPacific Av Metro: 501Future connection to North Hollywood to Pasadena Bus Rapid Transit Project Major attractions: Herbert Hoover High School6Glendale Pacific Av & Riverdale DrGlendale Glendale High SchoolColorado St LADOT Commuter Express: Future connection to North Hollywood to Pasadena Bus Rapid Transit Project Major attractions: The Americana at Brand, Glendale Galleria, Glendale High School, Holy Family Catholic Church, Museum of Neon Art7Glendale Victory Bl & Western AvGlendale Glendale Community CollegeGlenoaks Bl, Stocker St, Glendale Av Future connection to North Hollywood to Pasadena Bus Rapid Transit ProjectMajor attractions: Glendale Community College - Verdugo Campus, Grand View Memorial Park Cemetery, Herbert Hoover High School, Incarnation Catholic Church and School8Glendale Glendale Transportation CenterGlendale Glendale Community CollegeGlendale Ave, San Fernando Rd Amtrak: Pacific Surfliner Metrolink: Amtrak Thruway Greyhound Lines Future connection to North Hollywood to Pasadena Bus Rapid Transit Project Major attractions: Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Glendale Civic Center, Glendale Community College - Verdugo Campus
Express routes Metrolink Express is an express bus service, consisting of 2 routes, serving the Metrolink station at Glendale Transportation Center during rush hour only.
Services operate weekdays only. RouteTerminalsViaMajor connections and notes11Glendale Glendale Transportation CenterDowntown Glendale Monterey Rd & Brand Bl Brand Bl Amtrak: Pacific Surfliner Metrolink: Amtrak Thruway Greyhound Lines Metro: 501 Future connection to North Hollywood to Pasadena Bus Rapid Transit Project Major attractions: Alex Theatre, The Americana at Brand, Glendale Memorial Hospital and Health Center, Museum of Neon Art, ServiceTitan12Glendale Glendale Transportation CenterBurbank Burbank StationSan Fernando Rd, Flower St Amtrak: Pacific Surfliner Metrolink: Amtrak Thruway Greyhound Lines Future connection to North Hollywood to Pasadena Bus Rapid Transit Project Major attractions: DreamWorks Animation, Grand Central Creative Campus
La Cañada Flintridge (LCF) Shuttle routes LCF Shuttle, consisting of 2 routes, serves the city of La Cañada Flintridge.
Services operate weekdays only. RouteTerminalsViaMajor connections and notes33La Crescenta-Montrose Montrose Av & Waltonia DrLa Cañada Flintridge Jet Propulsion LaboratoryOcean View Bl, Foothill Bl Major attractions: Flintridge Preparatory School34La Cañada Flintridge La Cañada High School
Bus fleet
Beeline fleet Make/ModelFleet numbersThumbnailYearNotesNew Flyer XN35B01-B052020New Flyer XE35B06-B102025First electric buses for Glendale Beeline New Flyer C40LFB58-B592005New Flyer C35LFRB66-B722009New Flyer C40LFRB73-B742009New Flyer C40LFRB75-B782012New Flyer C40LFRB79-B882013New Flyer XN40B89-B97 2016Gillig BRT Plus CNG 40'B98-B992019
La Cañada Flintridge (LCF) Shuttle fleet Make/ModelFleet numbersThumbnailYearNotesNew Flyer C35LFRLC22009New Flyer C35LFLC3-LC42001New Flyer XN35LC52016
See also Burbank Bus Los Angeles Metro Bus
References
External links