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If you catch yourself at the airport once system demonstration begins, you will see empty People Mover cars traversing the 2.2-mile tracks on the same schedule the train will use when it opens.This story is free to read because readers choose to support LAist.
If you find value in independent local reporting, The contractor building the LAX Automated People Mover will soon initiate a simulation of how the train will operate when it begins shuttling travelers between airport terminals and the L.A. Metro system. If you catch yourself at the airport once this phase of testing begins the week of April 20, you'll see empty cars traversing the 2.25-mile-long tracks on the same 24/7 schedule the train will use when it opens. “It’s a big milestone for the project, and a visible milestone,” said Jake Adams, an airport executive who is overseeing $5.5 billion in LAX upgrades, including the people mover. Meanwhile, Los Angeles World Airports, the city agency that manages LAX, and its contractor for the people mover have escalated their rhetoric over a disputeIf you're enjoying this article, you'll love our daily newsletter, The LA Report. Each weekday, catch up on the 5 most pressing stories to start your morning in 3 minutes or less.Adams said he’s “fairly optimistic” that the dispute can be resolved separately from opening the train to the public, even if it intensifies into a legal battle. Considering the projected timeline for this next phase of testing, the train likely won’t be open in time for the World Cup in June, which wasAdams said the airport’s peak summer traveler count “far exceeds” the number of people expected for the World Cup and that he doesn’t anticipate any issues.Do you know something about the Automated People Mover that LAist should look into?The testing milestone that is slated to begin the week of April 20 is designed to assess the reliability of the train. “The requirement is that to operate it for 30 consecutive days without a hiccup,” Adams said of the testing phase known as “system demonstration.” What a “hiccup” could look like ranges, Adams said. An example of a major issue that could restart that 30-day clock is if one of the train cars breaks down. A more minor one would be if a train door fails to open at a platform. Adams said the process is likely to take a total of 60 days based on conversations with other airports that have developed similar people mover systems.Educators are expected to honor picket lines Tuesday if a deal can't be reached with the union that represents school support staff.Late negotiations have yet to secure a deal. If teachers, support staff and principals walk out, school will shut down for about 400,000 students.The 240-pound turtle was taken to the aquarium in January after being found entangled in fishing line and rope in the San Gabriel River.In November, LAist reported on a dispute over repairs to equipment in a metering cabinet. That work required power to be partially shut down between February and July 2025, temporarily delaying critical testing of the technology that allows for central control of the people mover’s systems. Though the technical issue has been resolved, the contractual dispute remains open. LINXS, the group of companies contracted to design, build and operate the train, has taken the position that the repair work isn’t included in its scope of work. Los Angeles World Airports disagrees. As of October, LINXS said the extra work cost $36 million, according to a document detailing LINXS’ claim that LAist received through a public records request. The contractor group in December filed a claim under a section of state law that governs complaints against public entities. The L.A. City Attorney's Office rejected the claim in January, initiating a six-month window within which LINXS can sue the city. “We will not comment on active disputes,” a spokesperson for LINXS said in an email when LAist reached out about the issue last month. In January 2026, when there was concern that the technical issue with the metering cabinet was reoccurring, LAX officials directed LINXS to investigate the issue. The contractor group initially refused to do so.William Dachs, CEO of LINXS, said in a letter to the city in January that “failure to resolve this … will ultimately lead to contract termination this coming fall, resulting in the City of Los Angeles having to repay the Lenders’ Liabilities which, at this early stage, is estimated to be over $1.1 Billion.”LINXS stands for LAX Integrated Express Solutions. It is the name of the group that formed in 2018 to design, build and operate the Automated People Mover. It’s made up of four large engineering and construction companies: Fluor, Balfour Beatty Infrastructure, Flatiron West and Dragados. Ultimately, a joint investigation found the concerns about the reoccurring issues were unfounded. Still, the episode reflects how uniquely contentious the dispute is. Whereas past disputes between LINXS and the airport were resolved through settlements that have so far totaled hundreds of millions of dollars and resulted in schedule extensions, the dispute over maintaining electrical equipment is the one that has gotten closest to potential litigation. “Other relief events that we’ve dealt with up to this point … we could agree there were some things that were not totally within LINXS’ control,” Adams said. “This relief event is very different. We believe there is absolutely no merit to this claim.”with one subcontractor accusing LINXS of “secretive, deceptive and improper conduct” and neglecting to pass settlement money down to subcontractors. An L.A. County Civil Grand Jury report released last year claimed that LINXS has used the dispute resolution process and “political pressures,” such as L.A.’s status as host city for several upcoming mega-events,President Trump's budget request doesn't include $2 billion for Metro's 2028 Olympics plan L.A. Metro's Board and California Democrats have repeatedly asked for funding to temporarily acquire and run an additional 1,750 buses to meet the demand for the 2028 Games.What happens next? Is there a date for opening? There are still a few more steps to complete once the system demonstration is successful, including resolving a dispute involving damage to the sprinkler systems that water plants along roads near the airport. Those roads received new landscaping as part of the project. “LINXS is taking a very contractual position that they have to complete all of the work that's in their contract before they can open the train,” Adams said. “We are taking the position that the irrigation absolutely has nothing to do with operating the train.” Adams characterized the conversations to “decouple” the sprinklers from the actual train itself as “active.” The final steps include getting approval from the California Public Utilities Commission and testing the train with volunteers.You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead . Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community. Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.Weekly events
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