�ձ�����

August 3, 2022

(Los Angeles) On Aug. 2, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti joined city, federal and airport officials to debut a critical component of the future of LAX with the unveiling of the first Automated People Mover (APM) train car. LAX will be the first U.S. airport to feature the INNOVIA 300 APM vehicles, which showcase the latest technology to help revolutionize how travelers get to and from the fifth-busiest airport in the world.

The APM system will reduce vehicle congestion and traffic in and around LAX when it opens, while providing the long-awaited connection to regional transportation, including Metro light rail.

“The Automated People Mover will be so much more than another way to get to LAX – it’s the piece of the puzzle that will curb the congestion that has been plaguing our airport for decades,” said Mayor Eric Garcetti. “As we welcome the first car that will whisk travelers to renovated terminals, parking structures, Metro rail, and a new rental car facility, it’s clear that a completely reimagined LAX is on the horizon.” 

The debut of the train car took place today at what will serve as the operational hub for the APM system – the Maintenance and Storage Facility – and was emceed by Mayor Garcetti. Also joining in the celebration were Rep. Maxine Waters, whose 43rd Congressional District includes LAX, Board of Airport Commissioners (BOAC) President Beatrice Hsu, LAWA Chief Executive Officer Justin Erbacci and Roya Noorbakhsh, the Chief Technical Officer of LAX Integrated Express Solutions (LINXS), developer of the APM system. 

Click  to view a new video showing a glimpse of LAX's future when the APM system opens. 

"I am excited and proud to see the first train cars delivered for LAX’s Automated People Mover," said Rep. Maxine Waters, 43rd District. "Construction has been moving at a fast pace and when complete will enable airline passengers to reach their terminals from anywhere near a Metro light rail line at a fraction of the current cost and without contributing to local traffic and vehicle emissions."

“The arrival of the first APM train cars marks a new era in modernizing transportation in Los Angeles," said Councilmember Mike Bonin. "Through innovation and a major investment in our future, LAX is setting a high bar with this transformational train system that will improve access and connectivity for travelers while reducing congestion and our carbon footprint.”

"Visitors arriving at LAX will soon be whisked high above the crowds below on these new comfortable, quiet, air-conditioned train cars while enjoying panoramic views of the entire Los Angeles basin from the elevated guideway," said Councilmember Joe Buscaino. "What once existed only in the minds of science fiction writers is now a reality and represents the very real future of transportation in Los Angeles, where residents and visitors have options beyond a single passenger vehicle, with multiple modes of modern, efficient transportation to choose from."

"As we continue to bring our vision of a world-class LAX to life, the arrival of the first train cars signals that our future is closer than ever," said Beatrice Hsu, President, of BOAC. "We are streamlining the LAX experience by delivering systems and infrastructure that will elevate our airport and benefit the local community, region, and beyond."

"Innovation, sustainability, and state-of-the-art technology are integral to our ongoing modernization," said Justin Erbacci, Chief Executive Officer, of LAWA. "These Automated People Mover train cars will set a high standard for environmentally sustainable transportation, having shells made of recyclable materials and achieving zero emissions. We look forward to seeing the cars in action when we begin testing them in 2023."

The first train car arrived at the Maintenance and Storage Facility site in June after a cross-country journey from the Alstom factory in Pittsburgh, PA, where the APM vehicles are fabricated and assembled. In total, 44 train cars will make the journey to LAX, in addition to the APM Maintenance and Service Vehicle, which arrived earlier this year. So far, three train cars have arrived at the Maintenance and Storage Facility site, with the fourth arriving later this week.

“This marks the beginning of a new phase of operations as we transition toward systems testing,” said LAX Integrated Express Solutions (LINXS) Constructors Chief Executive Officer Antonio Estrada. “All of our progress to date continues to build toward realizing the promise of a modern transportation experience at LAX.”

The driverless train system that will be utilized at LAX was specifically designed for flexible operation in both urban and airport transportation. During peak hours (9 a.m. to 11 p.m.), the trains will arrive at stations every two minutes, with an end-to-end run time of 10 minutes. The trains feature wide doors for easy access with luggage, large windows for viewing, plenty of handholds and 12 seats.

The centerpiece of LAX’s Landside Access Modernization Program (LAMP), the APM is a 2.25-mile electric train system that will transport travelers in and out of the CTA. The APM will feature six stations: three inside the CTA, which connect to the terminals via elevated pedestrian walkways, and three stations outside the CTA, which will connect to new off-site parking facilities, including LAX Economy Parking, regional light rail transportation, and a Consolidated Rent-A-Car (ConRAC) facility. The APM project is a critical investment into the infrastructure of Los Angeles as the city prepares to welcome the world to the 2026 World Cup and 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

.