As World Cup fans pour into LAX, long-awaited people mover train struggles with delays

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With thousands of FIFA World Cup spectators now streaming into the City of Angels, officials at Los Angeles International Airport had initially hoped to greet travelers with a fully functioning electric train that would run high above the airport’s chaotic traffic loop and whisk passengers to a shiny new transportation center.But the long-awaited automated people mover — considered by some to be a crucial missing link in the region’s commuter rail network — has yet to transport a single passenger.Three years after its planned 2023 opening date, the newly dubbed SkyLink system remains mired in technical hiccups and legal disputes.Among other issues, the contractor hired to design and build the system has accused the governing body of LAX, Los Angeles World Airports, of imposing numerous “blockers” that have delayed the train’s opening.“It is frustrating it’s not open yet and I think if political leaders were serious about, you know, really understanding what’s going wrong and making sure it doesn’t happen again, like there should be some accountability.” said Ethan Elkind, rail expert and director of the climate program at the Center for Law, Energy and the Environment at UC Berkeley.In a report dated June 15, the system contractor — LAX Integrated Express Solutions — said LAWA project impediments include airport landscaping work, approval delays and impacts from other projects.

Because of this, LINXS projected that passenger service would not begin until at least early October.California The 2.25-mile electric train system at LAX known as the Automated People Mover will begin running without passengers as testing for the long-delayed project advances.“The safety and absolute reliability of the SkyLink train are our highest priorities as we progress toward passenger service.

Rigorous, exhaustive testing of all tracks, signaling systems, and vehicles ...