Los Angeles International Airport may finally gain a direct rail connection to the city’s Metro system after years of delays and false starts.
Plans to extend the Metro’s Green Line to LAX date back many years, but disagreements over where to place the airport station and concerns that an elevated line could interfere with airport operations previously stalled the project. Those issues have been addressed in the revised proposal.
The updated proposal calls for a rail link that would serve three airport terminals and continue to a Metro station at 96th Street and Aviation Boulevard, roughly a 10-minute ride from the central terminal area. The route also includes a stop at the planned consolidated rental car facility and the taxi/shuttle hub, improving connections for passengers and employees. The Los Angeles City Council has approved approximately $5 billion in funding to advance construction.
This extension is designed to connect with the Crenshaw/LAX Line, currently under construction, creating a direct transfer to other Metro lines. That network connection will enable easier access to downtown Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Pasadena and many other neighborhoods served by Metro rail, reducing reliance on road congestion for airport trips.
Access to LAX has long been difficult: travel from downtown can average about 33 minutes by bus and 55 minutes by car, depending on traffic. Ride-hailing fares from downtown to the airport commonly run near $40 for a one-way trip. A reliable rail option aims to cut travel time unpredictability, provide a more affordable alternative, and improve overall connectivity between the airport and the region.
By linking terminals, consolidating connections at the rental car and shuttle hubs, and tying into the wider Metro network, the extension seeks to make LAX more accessible for travelers and workers while easing roadway congestion around the airport.