LAX announced this week that it has received the final four train cars for its automated people mover system, which will begin serving passengers in January 2026. The fleet of 44 vehicles will carry an estimated 30 million passengers annually on a 2.25-mile route, with stops in the central terminal area, at new ground transportation hubs, and at a new Metro rail station. Trains will run at speeds of up to 47 miles per hour at all hours of the day, and arrive at 2-minute intervals between 9 am and 11 pm, making the end-to-end trip in 10 minutes.
Final LAX automated people mover vehicles arriveLAWA
“Receiving the final train cars for the APM signifies a major milestone for this project and our airport’s transformation,” said LAWA chief executive officer John Ackerman in a news release. “The APM will enhance the travel experience at LAX and set a new standard for sustainable transportation. As we move this project forward, we remain dedicated to delivering a state-of-the-art solution that reflects our commitment to our passengers, community and environment.”
A Metro bus in Echo ParkWikimedia Commons
Despite lingering concerns about passenger safety, Metro's ridership continues to recover from its pandemic lows with 8.2 percent growth in July - its 20th consecutive month of year-over-year growth.
The agency announced that there were nearly 19.7 bus riders taken in July 2024, a 9.8 percent increase compared to July 2023 figures. However, that is still just 82.9 percent of July 2019 ridership levels. Likewise, rail boardings were up 3.2 percent compared to July 2023, and have now reached 78.4 percent of July 2019 ridership levels.
Here's what we're reading this week:
Rendering of hydrogen-powered trainsetCaltrans
First-of-its-kind zero-emissions train rolls into San Bernardino "The train will serve the Arrow Line, a 9-mile transit line with five stops between downtown San Bernardino and the University of Redlands." (LA Times)
Don’t expect Metrolink to go electric any time soon, officials say "A Metrolink spokesperson tells KTLA that there are practical challenges with bringing electrification to the Southern California region that Caltrain up north simply didn’t face....For one, Metrolink’s entire system is vastly larger than Caltrain. While Caltrain serves about 77 miles of tracks, Metrolink has more than 545 total service miles across six counties....The price tag for electrification would be significantly higher than the $2.4 billion that Caltrain spent..." (KTLA)
Metrolink Officials Need to Move Forward on Electrification: A Rebuttal "Californians for Electric Rail's petition to electrify Metrolink asks for a commitment and a reasonable rollout, not the huge project Metrolink is afraid to invest in. KTLA and Metrolink focused on the wrong points." (Streetsblog California)
Final orange grove in the San Fernando Valley is likely to give way to luxury homes "At 14 acres, Bothwell Ranch represents less than one-thousandth of what once was, before the orchards and ranches of the Valley gave way to vast tracts of housing and commercial buildings to serve residents. Citrus production amid the multimillion-dollar homes is far from viable, and the parcel of land is now owned by a developer who intends to fill most of it with houses." (LA Times)
View looking southwestOttinger Architects
Newsom administration tells Beverly Hills its efforts to block a high-rise violate state housing law "On Thursday, the state’s Department of Housing and Community Development sent a letter to the affluent city saying their failure to process an application for a 165-unit building just off Wilshire Boulevard “is in violation of state housing law.”" (LAist)
Eyes on the Street: WeHo Ped/Bike Crossing Nearly Completed "The city of West Hollywood is putting the finishing touches - including bright green paint - on its nearly complete new walk/bike crossing on San Vicente Boulevard at Rosewood Drive" (Streetsblog LA)
New initiative aims to turbocharge wildlife-crossing construction across California "While big fauna, like pumas and deer, often get outsized attention, the initiative aims to build crossings for more minute critters too. Pratt said they’ve hoping to get a Yosemite toad crossing at Tioga Pass, similar to one already in place at Sonora Pass." (LA Times)
Intuit Dome lobbyLos Angeles Clippers
Party Could Last Until 4 AM At Exclusive Club Inside L.A.’s Intuit Dome, Thanks To Just-Passed Legislation "The bill still needs to be signed into law by Gov. Gavin Newsom." (Deadline)
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