Los Angeles faces significant public transportation challenges as the city prepares for the 2028 Summer Olympic Games, with the stalled Skylink people mover train at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) becoming a focal point of debate in the ongoing mayoral race between incumbent Karen Bass and challenger Nithya Raman.
The Skylink project, a critical component of a $30-billion LAX modernization effort, is designed to transport passengers and workers between airport terminals and various ground transportation hubs, including remote parking, rental car facilities, and the LAX/Metro Transit Center. Originally approved by the City Council in 2018 with a construction budget of approximately $1.9 billion and a completion date set for March 31, 2023, the project has encountered extensive delays and cost overruns. The contractor overseeing the train now projects operational service will not begin before January 2027, with the total cost having risen to over $3.3 billion—a 74% increase above initial estimates.
The delay and budget increases have ignited sharp criticism from Raman, who contends that Bass and the city’s appointed airport commissioners have failed to adequately control expenses or enforce construction deadlines. Raman has also criticized an airport board decision to increase fees for ride-hailing services, arguing that these user fees are unfairly imposed to cover budget overruns. She has emphasized the need for a comprehensive transit infrastructure overhaul, including permanent expansion of priority bus lanes and investments to improve the reliability and frequency of the city’s bus service.
In response, Bass has maintained that the difficulties with Skylink originated before her tenure and highlighted efforts to reach a settlement to establish a definitive completion timeline. She noted that the Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) authority and the contractor are expected to finalize the project and start service promptly. Bass’s team also points to the City Council’s 2024 approval of a $550 million settlement to address project disputes, a move supported by Raman as a council member at the time.
An independent grand jury report attributed much of the Skylink delay responsibility to the contractor rather than the city, also raising concerns about external consultants involved in the project. The contractor has pursued legal action against the city, alleging city-related causes for the hold-ups.
Beyond Skylink, both candidates agree on the importance of expanding Los Angeles’ broader public transit network. Bass, who chairs the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) board, has prioritized making fares free across the bus and rail system, though she has not detailed funding mechanisms to sustain such a policy. Raman supports free fares for those in need but critiques Bass’s approach as lacking a serious financial plan, advocating instead for prioritizing faster, safer, and more frequent service.
The candidates also disagree on transit and street safety priorities. Raman has highlighted deficiencies in the city’s Vision Zero initiative, which aims to reduce traffic fatalities, and pledges to elevate it as a mandate with dedicated leadership if elected. Bass asserts that Vision Zero remains a priority and pointed to recent improvements, such as added speed humps, speed cameras, and increased crossing guards near schools, while noting ongoing departmental restructuring to enhance the program’s effectiveness.
As Los Angeles approaches a critical period of infrastructure development, the future mayor will confront complex decisions on how to address budget overruns, enhance transit reliability, and improve safety across the city’s transportation network.