LAX Begins Building Its $4 Billion Airport Train
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti broke ground Thursday on a $4 billion, years-in-the-making a project to install a train system at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). The train system, named the Automated People Mover (APM), will function similarly to New York’s JFK and Newark International (EWR) airports air-trains. It will connect travelers directly from the LA Metro rail system to airport terminals and offer new, convenient pickup and drop off locations. However, unlike JFK and EWR, it'll be completely free for anyone to use.
The mayor shared a rendering on Twitter:
The APM is projected to relieve the severe congestion at an airport with more than 75 million travelers per year. Trains will arrive every two minutes, have wide doors for easy accessibility and ample handrails and seats.
It will also be painted in a special-themed livery to celebrate the 2028 Olympics in LA.
As a part of the $14 billion transformation of LAX that has been underway since 2009, most aspects of the new APM system were designed to provide travelers with fast and easy access to the terminals. Each train will be able to transport up to 200 people and their luggage, or 50 people a car. Electrically powered, the APM will be able to reach speeds up to 47mph, taking 10 minutes end to end.
Currently, completion of the APM is expected for 2023.
All images courtesy of Los Angeles World Airports.