Introduction to the New LAX Transit Center Station
The LA Metro train station that will soon connect to a people mover taking riders directly into the terminals at LAX was dedicated on Friday, June 6, marking a major step into a first-ever transit option to and from the busy airport.
Years in the making, this development is a significant milestone for commuters and travelers alike.
Features of the LAX/Metro Transit Center
The new LAX/Metro Transit Center, located off both the C and K train lines just blocks from Inglewood, was opened to the public at 5 p.m. on Friday, connecting to airport terminals via shuttles. The 500,000-square-foot station’s 16 bus bays will accommodate six LA metro bus routes and eight municipal bus lines. A people mover being built by the Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) is scheduled to open early next year and connect to the station.
Grand Opening Event
More than 300 officials attended the grand opening event, with speakers including LA Mayor Karen Bass, LA County Supervisor and Metro Board Chair Janice Hahn, and Metro CEO Stephanie Wiggins.
The event marked a significant moment in the city’s transportation history, with the new station promising to revolutionize travel to and from LAX.
Travel Times and Connections
The C Line from Norwalk to the LAX/Metro Transit Center Station takes about 32 minutes. The ride from the K Line toward Expo/Crenshaw from the Redondo Beach Station to the LAX station takes 19 minutes. Connections to the K Line can be made from the E Line going toward Santa Monica by transferring at Expo/Crenshaw Station. Also, the K Line can be reached going toward East L.A. on the E Line. From the San Fernando Valley, one would take the B Line to 7th/Metro Station and transfer to the E Line. From the San Gabriel Valley, one would take the A Line to 7th/Metro, transfer to the E Line heading toward Santa Monica, and take the K Line at Expo/Crenshaw.
The LAX Automated People Mover Project
The LAX Automated People Mover Project, a 2.25-mile elevated train, was originally set to open in 2023 and pushed back to 2025 and now early 2026. Construction delays and disputes between builder-operator, LAX Integrated Express Solutions, or LINXS, and LAWA reportedly caused the delays. The people mover is expected to move about 30 million passengers in the first year, according to Harold Samms, who spoke on behalf of LAWA at the Metro station grand opening.
Station Design and Amenities
The station has a platform that is 40 feet wide, the widest platform of any station in the Metro system. The bi-level station features bus connections on the ground level and Metro rail and eventually the people mover on the elevated concourse. The airy station features natural daylight, accentuating air flow, aerial views of planes landing amid shaded canopies. The new LA Metro station is built to accommodate riders with luggage. Escalators run between levels, and a wide train platform, concourses, and bus bays are incorporated into the station. The station, unlike many in the Metro system, has public restrooms.
Funding and Construction
Metro began construction in 2021, and the four-year effort cost nearly $900 million, reported Metro. It was funded by Measure M, a half-cent transportation sales tax approved by LA County voters in 2016.
Support from Key Figures
One of the biggest supporters of a rail connection at LAX, who also campaigned hard for Measure M that funded numerous rail lines, was Eric Garcetti. The former L.A. mayor had just come back from India and came to the event from his home in the San Fernando Valley. He served as U.S. Ambassador to India from 2023 to 2025.
Conclusion
The opening of the LAX/Metro Transit Center Station marks a significant step towards improving transportation options for commuters and travelers in Los Angeles. With its state-of-the-art design and amenities, the station is expected to make travel to and from LAX easier and more efficient. The upcoming people mover project will further enhance the travel experience, providing a direct link to the airport terminals.
FAQs
- Q: When did the LAX/Metro Transit Center Station open?
A: The station opened to the public on June 6, 2025. - Q: How long does it take to travel from Norwalk to the LAX/Metro Transit Center Station on the C Line?
A: The travel time is approximately 32 minutes. - Q: What is the expected opening date of the LAX Automated People Mover Project?
A: The project is now scheduled to open in early 2026. - Q: How many passengers is the people mover expected to move in its first year?
A: About 30 million passengers. - Q: What funded the construction of the LAX/Metro Transit Center Station?
A: Measure M, a half-cent transportation sales tax approved by LA County voters in 2016.
