People Mover Train at LAX on Target for 2023 Debut

Officials say the Automated People Mover (APM) train currently being built at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is more than 75 percent complete and on track to open in 2023.

Airport executives call it a game-changer, saying it will enhance the airport experience.

“The Automated People Mover train is something that is going to help us to revolutionize the way people access our Los Angeles World Airport facilities,” Justin Erbacci, chief executive officer of Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA), told ABC-7 in Los Angeles.

The train will connect travelers directly to airport terminals along with passenger pick-up and drop-off locations outside the central terminal area.

The train will be 2.75 miles long when complete.

In addition, the APM will also connect with L.A. Metro’s Light Rail System and LAX’s new rental car facility which will be able to hold 18,000 cars.

“It’s the largest concrete structure in the U.S. behind only the Pentagon,” said Stephanie Sampson, the director of communications for LAWA. “But our rental car market shows that the need for this amount of rental cars will be good in the future.”

The rental car facility is also scheduled to open in 2023. Officials say this will eliminate rental car shuttles from the airport area – 3,200 daily trips and more than 1.1 million a year.

And if you’re looking to park, a new structure recently completed houses 4,300 cars.

“As a major airport, having that connection to regional transportation is something that LAX has been missing and we are very excited that with our partners at Metro we will be able to provide that connection in the future,” Sampson said.

“We believe that we are going to be making Los Angeles International Airport one of the best airports in the world, and a place that customers will look forward to coming instead of dreading to come,” Erbacci said.