Four train cars recently arrived at Los Angeles International Airport from Pittsburgh, completing the 44-car total of the upcoming Automated People Mover and shifting the focus of the long-awaited project to testing, officials announced Wednesday.
The 2.25-mile elevated train is expected to open in January 2026. Although it is nearly complete, disputes between the contractor and the airport over production, compensation and scheduling led to lengthy delays that pushed back the goal of a 2023 launch.
This summer, the Los Angeles World Airports Board of Commissioners allocated an additional $400 million to settle previous claims and jumpstart progress. The decision was recently approved by the Los Angeles City Council, bringing the total amount of the project settlement to $550 million. The project budget is more than $3.3 billion.
“Receiving the final APM cars marks a significant milestone for this project and the transformation of our airport,” said John Ackerman, CEO of Los Angeles World Airports, in a statement. “APM will enhance the travel experience at LAX and set a new standard for sustainable transportation. As we move forward with this project, we remain committed to providing a state-of-the-art solution that reflects our commitment to our passengers, community and the environment.”
The cars have fully recyclable aluminum casings and a regenerative braking system, according to LAWA.
The train is expected to operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, in four carriages (spaced two minutes apart during peak hours) that will be able to accommodate 200 passengers. LAWA expects the train to carry 85 million passengers per year.
Transit experts and airport officials believe this will significantly ease traffic on the congested 1 World Way horseshoe loop by moving people between terminals, parking garages and a new consolidated rental car facility.
The train will offer a direct connection to the subway, eliminating the need for travelers to take a bus. Once operational, the airport also plans to move its transportation parking lot, where travelers currently hail taxis, Lyfts and Ubers, to a new location that will be accessible via the People Mover.
“The arrival of all APM vehicles in Los Angeles marks the beginning of the next phase of this massive project,” said Shawn West, board member of LINXS Constructors, in a statement. “Our focus now shifts from building the physical structures of the APM to a comprehensive testing process with each and every vehicle.”
