The LAX/Metro Transit Center has officially opened its doors!
The new world-class transit hub fills a long-standing gap in Los Angeles’ transit infrastructure, connecting Los Angeles International Airport with Metro’s K and C lines, as well as numerous city bus routes. Travelers will be able to enjoy the new rail connection (and bypass much of LAX’s notorious traffic) at Aviation Boulevard and 96th Street starting Friday, June 6th at 5 PM.
Keep reading for a breakdown of everything to know about the new transit center.
Which rail and bus lines connect to the LAX/Metro Transit Center?
The new LAX/Metro Transit Center will serve the following Metro and bus lines. Note that the temporary C & K Line link 856 will discontinue service.
- Metro K Line connects through LAX and south to Redondo Beach
- Metro C Line adds the new LAX station after its current end-of-line Aviation/Century station
- Metro Bus Lines to South Gate (102), Norwalk (111), Downey (117), Whittier (120), and Long Beach (232)
- Santa Monica Big Blue Bus (3, Rapid 3) to Santa Monica
- Culver CityBus (6, Rapid 6) to Culver City and UCLA
- Beach Cities Transit (109) to Redondo Beach
- GTrans (Gardena) Line 5 to Willowbrook/Rosa Parks station, with connections to Metro A Line and El Segundo
- Torrance Transit Line 8 to Torrance
Until now, LAX’s closest rail connection was the C Line to LAX/Aviation Station, which is about 3 miles away from the airport terminals. Several bus lines also connected to stations in the area, but all of them required shuttle or bus transfers. The new hub will create a seamless transition to the airport, especially when the Automated People Mover opens—more on that below.
What should I know about terminal connections and fare payment?
Travelers should be aware that one key part of the LAX/Metro Transit Center has still not been completed: the Automated People Mover, an electric train that will connect the transit center to the terminals via an elevated guideway in 2026. Until then, LAX will have shuttles running every 10 minutes for travelers to make the short trip to their terminals.
If you don’t already have a TAP card to pay your fare, they will be available for purchase and reload at the LAX/Metro Transit Center. You can also pay on your phone with a virtual TAP Card.
What else should I look for at the new transit center?
The new transit center is fully ADA-accessible, featuring elevators, ramps, and navigation aids for all travelers. It also includes a pedestrian plaza, dedicated zones for passenger pick-up and drop-off, a customer service center, restrooms, a bike hub, and space for retail. Don’t forget to look up at Glenn Kaino’s suspended spiral sculpture, The Distance of the Sun, which depicts stylized ships journeying to the heavens.
Here’s to a major step in the future of L.A. public transit!