Update, we are now looking at a completion date of December of 2025 with cars in operation probably Jan. 2026. Despite a $400 million budget oversight, the People Mover project continues to make progress at 86% complete.
The APM will have nine trains, each with four cars. Each car will carry up to 50 passengers and their luggage, with a total of 200 per train. Train speed will top out at 47 mph. Trains will be available at each station every two minutes with a total of 10 minutes travel time end-to-end. For easy access, the APM trains will have large, wide doors and each car will have 12 seats designated for travelers in need. The APM will be FREE for all users and operate at all times. Anticipated use will be 30 million passengers per year.
The APM trains, elevators, escalators, and moving sidewalks provide for quick access to the terminals and stations. Passengers will be able to view real-time flight information, public art in a variety of media, and will see the iconic Theme Building from a brand new perspective as the train enters the Central Terminal Area.
In addition to reducing traffic, the APM will leverage cutting-edge sustainability practices to reduce the airport area’s carbon footprint. The system’s fleet will consist of 44 cars that are fully electric powered, 98% recyclable, and generate a portion of their own power through regenerative breaking, while providing an industry-leading ride quality for users. Our command center and maintenance facility generates nearly half of its power from solar energy and is designed to be LEED Gold Certified. These design enhancements allowed the team to offset the carbon equivalent of 12 million vehicle miles driven.
The APM is an historic investment in Los Angeles’ emerging businesses and workforce. More than $580 Million has been identified for local, small or disabled veteran-owned businesses, with $94 Million commitment exclusively to local, small businesses right here in Los Angeles. The project will create more than 2,000 construction jobs, with 30% of those opportunities being reserved for residents of Los Angeles as well as highly impacted communities near LAX. Sixty percent of careers during the 25-year Operations and Maintenance phase are designated for local workers. LINXS, the selected APM developer—has built partnerships with community-based organizations to focus on expanding the pipeline of workers, especially those from non-traditional backgrounds. Through more than $900,000 in investments, the project will create infrastructure career pathways for women, former foster youth, individuals in reentry and transitioning out of gang involvement, and persons with disabilities. HireLAX, LAWA’s Apprenticeship Readiness Program, will be a key partner in this effort, as will other resources offered by the Building Trades and other industry partners.
