LAX train expected to be in service from January 2026

Credit: Los Angeles World Airports and LAX Integrated Express Solutions.

The Los Angeles Board of Airport Commissioners have approved an agreement, setting a construction completion date of 8 December 2025, for Los Angeles International Airport’s (LAX) Automated People Mover (APM) train.

The train will begin operations in January 2026. It will be available to passengers with tickets and airport employees for no extra charge and is expected to carry 30 million passengers a year. This may result in an estimated 42 million fewer vehicle miles annually.

“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. “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.” 

“Constituents who drive, live and work around LAX are eager for the train to start taking cars off the road,” said Councilwoman Traci Park. “I am hopeful this project will reduce congestion on our local streets; give people time back in their lives and improve mobility for residents, travellers, and patrons of our local businesses.”

“This will be a game changer for LAX’s millions of travelers and for the residents and businesses in our surrounding neighborhoods,” said Board of Airport Commissioners President Karim Webb. “We have been working hard to ensure Angelenos benefit during the construction of this project by awarding more than $1.02 billion in contracts to local, diverse, small and veteran-owned businesses. More than 85 local businesses have been working to build this train.”

“LAX’s train will make life better for millions of people year after year. This is a critical step in our transformation of LAX to make it more welcoming, convenient and sustainable, and to enhance the airport as an economic engine for our region,” said John Ackerman, CEO of Los Angeles World Airports. “Completing this programme with certainty is a top priority of LAX leadership, and this agreement does just that. The train will also make it easier for Angelenos to work at LAX, easing commutes and stress.”

LAX’s train will operate 24/7, with trains arriving at stations every 2 minutes during peak hours (from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.). Running on 2.25 miles of elevated guideway, it will connect to six stations: three inside the Central Terminal Area, one at LAX’s Economy Parking facility, one connecting to Metro’s LAX/Metro Transit Center station (with transfers to the C and K lines) and one at LAX’s Consolidated Rent-A-Car facility. Total end-to-end travel time will be 10 minutes with a top speed of 47 miles per hour. 

The construction completion date is part of an agreement with the train’s developer, LAX Integrated Express Solutions (LINXS). The Board and LINXS also agreed that LINXS will be paid an additional $550 million, largely to cover already completed extra work dating back to August 2018 and a longer than anticipated construction timeline. The agreement also appropriates an additional $50 million for contingencies. The construction of LAX’s train has created nearly 10,000 jobs to date.

“It is an honor to continue our partnership with LAWA and deliver a transportation system that will offer an elevated experience for travelers and Los Angeles residents alike. Our team has worked on large and complex transit projects around the globe, and the transformation provided by the LAX People Mover is poised to truly set the bar,” said LINXS Constructors board member Shawn West.