While it can sometimes feel that it is impossible to find something that truly integrates Angeleno, there is one fact that we can all agree. LAX traffic is terrible. Once you reach the hell of a horseshoe-shaped car in the middle of the airport terminal, you will test how much you love your family and friends who need a ride.
Thankfully, there’s a bit of peace of mind right away due to the “reach” part of the equation. Metro has announced the LAX/Metro Transit Center Station, the LAX/Metro Transit Center Station, east of the airport, where bus transfers and bike parking offers both the K and C lines, will open on June 6, 2025.
As for the “roaming” part of your LAX trip, this is only half of what you really are waiting for. The station will eventually connect with an automated People Mover stop. This is another 2.25-mile transit line owned by Los Angeles World Airport, which will create three stops within the central terminal area. However, that persistently delayed project will not open until early 2026.
So why is this still a big deal? After all, the C (formerly Green) Line opened a station with the name “LAX” in 1995, adding an air/century stop with the expansion of the K (formerly Crenshaw) line last fall. Now, the shorter version: More rail connections and much more convenient station.
Let’s start with the connection. Currently, the C-Line operates a free airport shuttle from the Aviation/LAX Station (although its name, it is located under the highway near the farthest corner of the runway), but it is most convenient for those south of the 105 Expressway. There is also a relatively newer Aviation/Century station, where you can wait for bus connections from the sidewalk along Century Boulevard. However, for construction, these stations have been maroonized for riders approaching from the north. Currently, half of the K-line closes with Westchester/Veterans. This means you will need to take a temporary bus and take another bus to the airport.
However, the opening of the LAX/Metro Transit Center Stop makes the K-line run seamlessly from Crenshaw to North Redondo. Additionally, subway riders along the E-line, which runs from Santa Monica to East LA, mean that they are only loosened with one train journey. (If you’re coming from Santa Monica, Big Blue buses are still a direct geographical option, and for downtown LA, the fly away buses will still be faster.)
Finally, there is the station itself. From the early previews it looks like a full-fledged station that one of the busiest airports in the world is expected to find. It is a smooth indoor and outdoor space with 16 bays for bus and shuttles, a safe bike parking, a customer service centre, and passenger pickup and drop-off areas. Look for hanging origami-like sculptures from artist Glenn Kaino.
Perhaps most importantly, it promotes its connection with The People Mover, the infamous delayed project that we included in the 2023 and 2024 “Looking for the Fun” preview, but it was ultimately removed from the 2025 edition. It was a good call: that last official update turns to its January 2026 opening. You can use it to ride directly C and K line travel between terminals, economy garages, ride-share pickups, car rental garages, and yes, LAX/Metro transit centre stations.
Photo: Michael Juliano for Time Out the Lax Automated People Mover (March 2025)
Once both of these projects are finally open, if you’re looking for another transit line to pine over, here’s the K Line Northern Extension, a north-south route that connects all of the main rail lines and allows you to ride a one-seat ride from Hollywood towards the airport.
Source link
