The LAX automated people mover system is now slated to begin serving passengers in January 2026, Los Angeles World Airports announced today.

“This project is going to reduce traffic on our freeways and our local streets while bringing good paying union jobs to Los Angeles,” said Mayor Karen Bass in a news release. “This train will make a direct connection to the Metro system to ensure LAX welcomes Angelenos and visitors from across the globe in a truly world-class way.” 

"A rendering of the Automated People Mover train as it passes over Century Boulevard."LAWA

The 2.25-mile elevated train, which broke ground before the onset of the global pandemic, was initially expected to be largely completed in 2022 and open for passengers by 2023. Since that date, the schedule for the project has repeatedly slipped while its budget has grown.

An agreement with the project's contractor approved by the Los Angeles Board of Airport Commissioners tacks on an additional $550 million to the project budget, covering extra work which was completed dating back to August 2018. That pushes the overall cost of the people mover to roughly $3.3 billion, reports the Los Angeles Times.

"A rendering of the West Central Terminal Area Automated People Mover station."LAWA

When completed, the people mover will carry an estimated 30 million passengers each year, according to LAWA. Trains will run at all hours of the day, and arrive at 2-minute intervals between 9 am and 11 pm, with stops in the central terminal area, at new ground transportation hubs, and at a new Metro rail station. Trains will travel at speeds of up to 47 miles and make the end-to-end trip in 10 minutes.

The project is complemented by the new LAX Metro/Transit Center Station, now under construction at 96th Street and Aviation Boulevard, which will have a direct connection to the people mover. While the two systems were once slated to open concurrently, the new stop for the C and K Lines is now expected to debut more than one year in advance of the people mover in November 2024.

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