Sonali Tiwary
After decades of planning, Los Angeles finally has its airport rail connection. The LAX/Metro Transit Center opens today (June 6, 2025) at 5 p.m., offering travelers a new way to reach the airport without battling the infamous terminal horseshoe traffic.
The $900 million station connects the K Line (Crenshaw/LAX) and C Line (Green) with a free shuttle bus service that runs every 10 minutes to all LAX terminals. This interim shuttle solution will operate until early 2026, when the Automated People Mover (APM) train system is scheduled to begin service.
“We are delivering the results that the people of Los Angeles have demanded,” said Mayor Karen Bass at today’s 1 p.m. ribbon-cutting ceremony. “This new transit center is about building a more connected, climate-conscious city.”
The station marks a significant milestone in the city’s “28 by ’28” initiative to complete 28 major transit projects before the 2028 Olympics. It also arrives just in time for the 2026 FIFA World Cup matches scheduled at SoFi Stadium.
Located at Aviation Boulevard and 96th Street, the new transit hub includes:
- A 16-bay electric bus plaza serving 14 different bus routes
- Secure bicycle storage for 50 bikes
- Public restrooms
- Customer service desk
- Public art installation by Glenn Kaino—“The Distance of the Sun”—hanging from the station ceiling alongside a rotating 2026 FIFA World Cup mural
“The nine most terrifying words in the English language used to be ‘Hey, can you give me a ride to LAX?'” joked LA County Supervisor Janice Hahn, who chairs the Metro Board. “That changes today.”
The free shuttle buses will travel between the transit center and all terminals. The station aligns with Metro Rail service hours (roughly 5 a.m.–11:45 p.m.) with continuous security monitoring along the shuttle route.
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Once the APM begins operation in January 2026, LAWA projects 42 million fewer vehicle-miles annually on airport approaches, supporting the city’s carbon reduction commitments.
“This station will serve over 57,000 badge-holding airport employees, reducing their daily car trips and parking pressure,” said Metro CEO Stephanie Wiggins. “We’ve been dreaming about a rail connection to LAX for half a century.”
The APM system itself will have capacity for peak-hour riders and is expected to handle 30 million annual trips. The six-stop elevated train will connect all terminals with the transit center, consolidated rental car facility, and parking structures.
Metro is offering free rides across its entire system through the weekend to celebrate the opening. To reach LAX from Downtown Los Angeles:
Take the E Line (Expo) to Crenshaw Station, transfer to the K Line southbound to LAX/Metro Transit Center, then board the free shuttle bus to your terminal.
The shuttle buses depart every 10 minutes, with the journey taking you to your terminal depending on traffic conditions.
The station is fully ADA-compliant with elevators and escalators. Metro Micro service is available for connections to nearby neighborhoods.
The LAX/Metro Transit Center was funded through Measure M sales tax revenue plus federal transit grants. Meanwhile, the APM project, which experienced $880 million in cost overruns due to integration challenges between LAWA and the LINXS consortium, is now on track for completion by December 8, 2025, with passenger service starting in January 2026.
Future plans include integration with the Sepulveda Transit Corridor, which will eventually provide direct rail service between the Westside and LAX without transfers, though this connection isn’t expected until the 2040s.For complete information about the new station and shuttle service, visit metro.net/lax-metro-transit-center or metro.net/riding/go-metro-to-lax.
