LAX Train: The Little Engine That Can’t

By the Editorial Team · Thursday, October 22, 2026

The LAX SkyLink people mover project, originally set to open in 2023, has been delayed until at least 2024 with costs nearly doubling from $1.9 billion to $3.3 billion, prompting a grand jury investigation into potential mismanagement. This automated transit system is critical for alleviating terminal congestion at one of the nation’s busiest airports, but ongoing disputes and budget overruns threaten its timely completion and future effectiveness.

The Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) SkyLink people mover project has encountered significant delays and escalating costs since its inception, raising concerns among officials and the public alike. Approved by the Los Angeles City Council in 2018, construction on the automated train system began in 2019 with an original completion date set for 2023. However, recent updates indicate the project’s launch will now be postponed until at least 2024.

The SkyLink system, designed to improve passenger transit between terminals at one of the busiest airports in the United States, was initially budgeted at approximately $1.9 billion. Over time, expenditures have soared to an estimated $3.3 billion, sparking reviews and legal investigations into the causes behind the ballooning costs and extensive delays. A grand jury probe has been launched to examine potential mismanagement and contractual disputes that may have contributed to the project's challenges.

City officials have expressed frustration with the prolonged timeline and rising expenses. Los Angeles City Councilmember Monica Rodriguez highlighted the contrast between the LAX project and earlier, successful monorail designs, including those developed by Disney Imagineer Bob Gurr, who lives in her district. The Disneyland monorail, inspired by transit systems observed in Europe and launched within a year of its design in the late 1950s, stands as a benchmark for timely and effective transit implementation. Rodriguez’s remarks underscored a sentiment that expertise from seasoned designers like Gurr could potentially benefit the beleaguered LAX initiative.

The SkyLink system aims to address long-standing traffic congestion challenges within the airport grounds by providing quick and reliable connectivity between terminals, reducing reliance on shuttle buses and private vehicles. Given Los Angeles’ well-documented traffic issues, an efficient people mover is considered a critical infrastructure improvement to enhance traveler experience and operational efficiency at LAX.

Despite the setbacks, officials maintain commitment to completing the project, though they face the ongoing task of resolving internal disputes and managing the expanded budget. Meanwhile, passengers continue to rely on existing transit methods, awaiting the promised relief that the SkyLink system was expected to deliver.

As the project pushes forward, scrutiny remains high on the decision-making processes and contractor management that have contributed to the SkyLink’s protracted timeline. The outcome of the grand jury investigation and subsequent corrective measures are anticipated to play a significant role in determining how and when the people mover will finally become operational.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.