Yesterday, I shared details about the new “Automated People Mover” (trains) coming to Los Angeles by 2023.
This project will make public transportation more accessible at LAX as well as eliminate some of the pollution that perpetually hangs over the terminal area like a lingering cough. Most importantly, however, this project will alleviate the aggravating congestion that routinely adds an extra 10-15 of travel time from the entrance of the airport to the exit.
After sharing my post yesterday, a representative from Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) sent me some additional renderings of the new project, which I want to share with you.
images courtesy of LAWA
A Question I Still Have
One reader pointed out yesterday that, for example, getting from one end of Terminal 8 to the nearest People Mover station represents an approximately half mile walk, considering a passenger will have to proceed downstairs to baggage claim then back up to the station.
Another complained that the lack of rail system on the secure side will make walking from one side of the airport to the other a herculean task if a passenger wants to stay on the secure side.
I’m not arguing with either statement. These are still problems and will remain problems. But this was not what the People Mover project is intended to address.
Perhaps a future phase of the project will add more moving walkways and trains on the secure side. Still, this current project is hardly a waste just because it does not remedy every structural problem at LAX.
I do have one question, though. Perhaps fear is a better word. With construction slated to take several years, will LAX traffic become even more horrible or will work be done in a way that minimizes impact on the overcrowding issue? We’ll soon found out…
> Read More: Will “People Mover” Fundamentally Change LAX?
Just based on my own experience while waiting to be picked up or getting dropped off, I feel like I don’t see TONS of people switching terminals. I’m sure people are constantly flowing to and from TBIT to get to a domestic connection, but it doesn’t seem like there are hordes of people. LAX has more origin/destination passengers than any other airport in the world, so that’s what they need to address first. I feel like this will help. Can’t let the perfect be the enemy of the good.
Being NY-based, and having to fly in and out of LGA in the midst of an enormous renovation, I believe the answer to your question “will LAX traffic become even more horrible” to be a resounding yes…
I’m a shuttle and Lyft / Uber driver at LAX and I’ve been hearing about this for about the past 4 years. I seen a lot of expensive cosmetic construction being done all the time but I have yet to see anything done about transportation. So when is this project supposed to start anyway?t
I don’t like the fact that it appears the people mover will destroy the views of and from LAX’s signature, the theme building.
I can’t answer for the Los Angelites, the blue line in Chicago is wonderful, so long term this should be a huge plus.
This place literally gets my stamp of approval. Hehehehehe. Look at all those nice sitting areas for a leisurely afternoon of plane watching!
I am skeptical. With just 3 stops to serve 9 terminals, there will be a lot of walking. Getting the parking lot, hotel and rental car shuttles out of the loop will be a big help. But what about this “ground transportation” stop? The press releases seem to indicate that this stop will be a meeting point not only for various shuttles, but also for Lyft/Uber and general pickups (“pickups from friends”). Seems like they are trying to divert all traffic away from the loop, which will never work.
LA has a long way to go. Even if this is completed on-time, a trip downtown will still require several transfers (people mover to metro crenshaw line to metro green line to metro silver/blue line to 7th street, transfer again on the red line to Union Station). Don’t stop the FlyAway!