All Aboard: L.A. Unveils New Transit Gateway to LAX

Photo credit: © Jason O’Rear

After years of anticipation and construction, Los Angeles has officially opened the LAX/Metro Transit Center in Westchester—a sprawling, state-of-the-art transportation hub designed to connect the city more directly to its busiest airport.

With a price tag of over $900 million, the new center marks a major step forward in public transit accessibility for L.A. travelers. Metro Board Chair Janice Hahn celebrated the moment in a recent statement: “The wait is over, Los Angeles. We’re finally getting a train to LAX. When the Automated People Mover opens, we’ll have a true world-class connection between the airport and the city.”

Situated on a 9.5-acre site at 96th Street and Aviation Boulevard, the new station stretches more than 1,100 feet and is packed with amenities. It includes a large bus plaza, a modern bike hub, a customer service center, and the most spacious light rail platforms in Metro’s system. These platforms currently serve the C and K Lines, connecting travelers east to Norwalk and south to Redondo Beach, as well as north toward Crenshaw.

Designed by Grimshaw Architects, the transit center stands out with its sleek, open-air structure. A sweeping canopy provides shade and visual flow throughout the station, while skylights and transparent panels allow for plenty of natural light and ventilation—part of the station’s push to meet LEED Gold sustainability standards.

One of the most anticipated features still to come is the connection to LAX’s Automated People Mover—a 2.25-mile elevated train designed to shuttle passengers directly into the airport’s terminals. Though delayed, the system is now expected to open by the end of 2026 and will provide a long-awaited seamless transition between Metro and LAX.

“This is a dream decades in the making,” said Metro CEO Stephanie Wiggins. “This station improves the experience for millions of travelers and brings us closer to a greener, more efficient transit system.”

Looking ahead, the transit center could serve as a key connection point for future expansions. Plans are already in the works for a possible rail line through the Sepulveda corridor and a rapid bus route down Lincoln Boulevard, making the station a potential hub for even more regional routes.

For now, though, the opening of the LAX/Metro Transit Center is a major milestone—offering a new, smarter way for Angelenos and visitors alike to move through the city, and finally bridging a gap between Metro rail and the skies above Los Angeles. More info https://www.metro.net/lax-metro-transit-center/