LAX People Mover Update

A new April 21 video showed test trains moving through the LAX Automated People Mover corridor as the long-delayed airport rail link enters a new phase. (youtube.com) Los Angeles World Airports says the Automated People Mover is a 2.25-mile elevated electric train with six stations linking the terminals, economy parking, the LAX/Metro Transit Center and the consolidated rental car facility. The agency says trains are designed to arrive every two minutes during peak hours, with a 10-minute end-to-end trip. (lawa.org) NBC Los Angeles and Fox 11 reported on April 22 that the system began passenger-free test runs earlier this week, with trains operating on a full schedule for about 60 days. Both outlets said the next gate is a 30-day stretch of uninterrupted operation without major issues before volunteers can ride. (nbclosangeles.com) (foxla.com) That testing milestone lands after Los Angeles World Airports told its board in July 2024 that construction would finish by December 8, 2025 and full operations would begin in January 2026. Passenger service has not started, and NBC Los Angeles said no public opening date has been announced. (lawa.org) (nbclosangeles.com) The train is supposed to shift trips away from the terminal loop by moving passengers between terminals and landside hubs outside the core airport roads. Los Angeles World Airports estimates the line will carry about 30 million passengers a year and cut 117,000 vehicle miles traveled per day. (lawa.org) The April 21 video itself was filmed on April 2, according to its description, and it shows guideway, stations and multiple trains in motion rather than the static construction shots that defined earlier updates. The uploader also said recent trains had begun full-speed service testing. (youtube.com) Construction began in 2019 with an original target opening in 2023, but local outlets say the project slipped after technical problems and disputes between Los Angeles World Airports and contractor LAX Integrated Express Solutions. Fox 11 said officials now expect public operation later in 2026 if testing and regulatory sign-offs stay on track. (foxla.com) (nbclosangeles.com) For now, the clearest public signal is visual: trains are running, but riders are still waiting for the reliability tests and approvals that turn a construction project into airport service. (youtube.com) (nbclosangeles.com)