Two big changes are coming soon to the C and K Lines.
•Our new routes for the C and K Lines will debut. See the map above.
•The new Aviation/Century Station that will serve the C Line and K Line will open. The aerial station is located adjacent to LAX hotels and near thousands of jobs in the aviation and cargo industries. The pic below shows recent train testing at the station.
We’ll soon share the exact date these changes will occur.
These changes are part of the runup to opening our new LAX/Metro Transit Center Station. When it opens – we don’t have a date to announce yet – the station will be the primary connection between the Metro system and the airport.
New routes for the C Line and K Line
When building the K Line, we connected the new tracks to the existing C Line. This gives us the opportunity to reconfigure the routes of the C Line and K Line that we believe will better serve more riders going forward.
What this means for riders:
C Line trains will run between the new Aviation/Century Station and Norwalk. (The pic above shows recent train testing at the station).
K Line trains will – until the LAX/Metro Transit Center opens — run between Redondo Beach and Aviation/Century and separately between Westchester/Veterans and Expo/Crenshaw.
Customers riding between the four western stations on the current C Line (Redondo Beach, Douglas, El Segundo and Mariposa) and the rest of the C Line will need to ride the K Line to the new Aviation/Century Station and switch trains to continue their trip. This will add a few minutes to your current trip.
To transfer between the C Line and the K Line, riders just walk across the platform from one train to the other. We’re working to keep the transfer between trains as quick as possible. Check the train’s head sign and listen to announcements to ensure you board the right train.
We understand the reconfiguration of the C Line and K Line is a significant change for riders. The C Line has run on its current route since it opened in 1995.
We believe the new C Line and K Line routes will benefit the greater good because:
•There will be a direct connection to the Aviation/Century Station and the upcoming LAX/Metro Transit Center from all C Line and K Line stations.
•The C Line will become primarily an east-west route while the K Line will be a north-south route. We think that best mimics regional travel patterns and is more intuitive for our riders as the Metro system continues to expand in the coming years.
There is recent precedent for us changing rail routes. When we opened the Regional Connector in 2023, the routes of the A Line and E Line were modified and the L Line ceased to exist.
We used every resource available to educate riders to the changes and we’ve been pleased with the results. Confusion was kept to a minimum and the new A and E Lines are now each carrying more riders than the old A and E Lines.
Bus shuttles
The existing Metro bus shuttle (known as Line 857) between the C and K Line will continue running. The route will be updated with the shuttle serving the K Line’s Westchester/Veterans station, the new Aviation/Century Station and the C Line’s Aviation/LAX Station. Note: this shuttle will cease running once we open the LAX/Metro Transit Center and K Line trains begin running between Redondo Beach and Expo/Crenshaw.
The bus shuttle between the C Line’s Aviation/LAX Station and LAX terminals will also continue running. That shuttle will move to the LAX/Metro Transit Center Station when it opens and the Aviation/LAX Station will then be renamed Aviation/Imperial to reflect the station’s location at the intersection of Aviation Boulevard and Imperial Highway.
Helping riders find their way
We will have plenty of staff at C and K Line stations to help riders navigate their transit trips as we make these changes.
We’ll be monitoring ridership and service — and will make any necessary adjustments to help everyone get where they’re going as quickly as possible.
The LAX/Metro Transit Center
The station is located at Aviation Boulevard and 96th Streets – and is the centerpiece of our plans to better connect local transit to the airport.
We don’t have an opening date to announce quite yet – but we’re in the final stretch of construction. The station has a ton of rider amenities, including restrooms, a customer service center, public artworks, a bus plaza and pickup and drop-off area for those arriving by car.
Once open, the station will serve the C Line, K Line, and local buses run by Metro and other agencies. The station will also eventually be connected to airport terminals via the LAX people mover. Until the people mover is finished, LAX will run bus shuttles between the station and airport terminals.
We know all this amounts to big changes, especially for longtime riders of the C Line. Ultimately, we think these changes are for the better that will serve more riders and offer more convenient transit access to LAX and the surrounding area.
Thank you for bearing with us as we begin to make these changes. Questions? Comments? Ask away please!
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Hello when is the lax station opening?
Hi Ivan —
We’ll announce the date soon.
Steve Hymon
The Source
Well, according to the Metro South Bay Service Council meeting since October 11th, the LAX Airport/Metro Transit Center Station could open on December 15, 2024 (as a tentative). Let’s hope that your fingers are crossed.
What is the process and requirements to become an Ambassador?
Hi Mazell–
Thank you for reaching out and expressing your interest in becoming a Metro Ambassador. The Metro Ambassadors are contracted by RMI International Inc. and Strive Well-Being Inc.
To receive more information of the Metro Ambassador program, your application, or to inquire about future available positions, please reach out to Strive Well-Being directly at: HR@StriveMetro.com or RMI International directly at jobs@rmiintl.com.
Good luck and thanks for your interest in working for the program!
Steve Hymon
The Source
Hopefully you can bring back 2 am service on all the lines once the LAX people mover opens up. Would be convenient for late flyers.
Hi Jose —
Fair point. We’ll share your comment with staff.
Steve Hymon
Editor, The Source
If you planned the entire system at once, which is what you should have done, you would not need to change or adjust routes. Another example of bad planning that results in wasted money
Hi James;
As part of the sales tax measures that went to voters in 1980, 1990, 2008 and 2016, there were plans about system expansion. Connecting to the airport was part of Measure R in ’08 and Measure M in ’16. The particulars of how to do it were planned later.
In the case of the connection to LAX there were a lot of variables. On Metro’s side, we studied how to build a rail line to the terminals. We also adjusted plans once it became clear that LAX wanted to build a people mover — and that connecting rail to the people mover would serve the most riders.
In this case, our Board did look at several operating plans for the C and K Lines. They chose the one that we think will best serve most riders. Totally understand any decision may not be universally popular but we had similar decisions to make with the A and E Lines. Ultimately, perhaps it’s best to have options rather than be locked into operating the system only one way.
Steve Hymon
The Source
The Junction that was built into the original C line is what is allowing this service pattern adjustment. It’s one of the few future planning designs Metro built into their system.
yes…..back in the day, putting that little rail line “curve to nowhere, but pointed towards LAX ” was a logical move; that someday, the rail line would be connected towards LAX.
What? Man, even Japanese railways were once operating in isolation.
I can give you a reason every day of the week with Metro’s failure, but I’ll give you just a few right off the bat: LA county voters, NIMBYs, wise guys, politicians, racial fear-mongering, lack of collaborations from the private and public sector. . . Should I keep going?
I’m not saying your argument is wrong. If anything, the regional connector proves your main point, but the decades of backlogs goes beyond the agency itself.
Disagree. One big plan from the outset, as years go by, and demographics change, would lock everyone into a plan that wouldn’t be practical, once the projects move along. Different sections like this make it kind of like putting a puzzle together, but one that can adapt as things develop.
It looks like riders on the new K will have to transfer to the shuttles between Westchester/Veterans and Aviation/Century. Can trains with passengers just bypass the LAX-MTC and not let people off until the station is ready? This seems unnecessarily convoluted.
Hi —
Unfortunately, we can’t run trains with riders through the LAX/MTC yet. We realize it’s not ideal but it is also temporary with the LAX/MTC in its finishing stages.
Steve Hymon
The Source
Late night trains for late night arriving flights please 🙏
If Metro’s Line 232 was not a contracted route, they would have a 24-hour bus service for those who live in the South Bay.
If the LAX Transit Center does not open in time for the December 2024 Service Changes, I am okay with having Lines 40 (owl), 102, 111, 117, 120, and 232 changed at a later date (Winter/Spring 2025 or June 2025), just like how the Redondo Beach Transit Center opened in January 2023 (a month and a half after the December 2022 Service Changes) and their Metro routes were changed in June 2023. I remember that despite moving to the new transit center, Line 210 said “approaching the South Bay Galleria Transit Center” (the old transit center near Artesia).
Why can’t the K Line end at either Aviation/Imperial(renamed from Aviation/LAX) or Mariposa? If you make the K Line run from Expo/Crenshaw to end all the way down to end at either Aviation/Imperial(renamed from Aviation/LAX) or Mariposa, that way you could still keep the existing C Line service from Norwalk to Redondo Beach instead of moving the C Line over to LAX/Metro Transit Center
Hi Bill;
Our Board did look at different operating scenarios. One big reason for changing the C Line was so that all C trains would serve the new airport area stations — as will all K Line trains. We think the LAX/Metro Transit Center is going to be the most popular destination on both lines and we wanted all trains to serve it. Hope that helps explain it.
Steve Hymon
The Source
Oh ok will there be an opening ceremony at Aviation/Century Station? After that will there be another opening ceremony for the LAX/Metro Transit Center at an another time as well?
Hi Bill;
No news to share yet on public events. When we have news, we’ll share!
Steve Hymon
The Source
Good news, but some questions. Why will the LAX bus shuttle take off from Aviation/LAX (Imperial) and not Aviation/Century, as the latter is closer to the airport? Also, will there be concessions at the LAX/Metro Transit Center station? Any place to get coffee, muffin, newspaper? Seems like it would really upgrade the user experience and be similar to other cities’ major transfer stations (and our own Union Station)?
Hi Neal —
The shuttle bus will be moving from Aviation/LAX to the LAX/Metro Transit Center when it opens. Rather than move the airport shuttle bus to a new station temporarily, it’s better to keep things simple since the LAX/MTC is in the finishing stages.
Steve Hymon
The Source
Disagree. One big plan from the outset, as years go by, and demographics change, would lock everyone into a plan that wouldn’t be practical, once the projects move along. Different sections like this make it kind of like putting a puzzle together, but one that can adapt as things develop.
Will the LAX shuttle serve Century or will LAX riders need to continue to Aviation/LAX?
Northbound traffic on Aviation has been closed since September 2023. Reopening was originally scheduled for April 2024, but keeps getting pushed back. According to LAWA, the closure will run through November. Metro shows a C-K link bus stop on NB Aviation when Century station opens. Does that mean the Century station won’t open until NB Aviation is open? Are you going to move the bus stop? Or will I have to take the K line to Century, then take the C line back to Imperial in order to catch the C-K link to Westchester?
How much time will there be between the announcement of the opening date and the opening date itself?
Hi Darryl –
The station will open Nov. 3. We need to get more info about the bus stop — will try to have that tomorrow. Thank you,
Steve Hymon
The Source
I’m so excited. I know that Metro will do their system-wide Service Change in December. At the Service Council meetings, the South Bay covered LAX’s new transit center, while the Gateway Cities announced that the Artesia Bridge (on Artesia at Santa Fe) near Compton College would be open just in time.
Do you know if the LAX terminal shuttles will stop at Aviation/Century as well, or if we’ll still need to transfer to those at Aviation/LAX?
Thanks!
Hi Daniel —
The answer is yes, the shuttle to LAX terminals will stop at Aviation/LAX (as they currently do) as well as Aviation/Century. We recommend that C Line riders catch shuttle at Aviation/LAX and riders on K Line southern segment catch shuttle at Aviation/Century. Hope that helps.
Steve Hymon
The Source
Okay, but my bet is that C line riders will just stay on the C line all the way to the Century / Aviation / station. More chance to catch the LAX shuttle in a timely manner, since the train gets you there fastest; and if there’s an LAX shuttle bus already there….”bird in hand worth two in bush” rather than LAX shuttle getting caught in any traffic jam between the current LAX shuttle terminus and the new Aviation / Century station.
With the Aviation/Century opening soon. Will the LAX bus shuttles disappear, once the APM opens in 15 months or so?
And when will a 2nd SoFi Stadium shuttle gameplay to/from the Downtown Inglewood begin?
Hi Muke –
Two good questions. Too early to say on the bus shuttles after the people mover opens — the shuttles are, fwiw, run by LAX and ultimately it’s their call. As for the SoFi shuttle, no news to share at this time — but we are looking at ways to maximize easy access to the shuttle for riders on both the C and the K Lines.
Steve Hymon
The Source
Please increase the frequency of the shuttles from LAX to the Metro stations – the buses are so infrequent for the number of people using (and that WOULD use) the service! Buses are frequently completely packed by Terminals 4-7 as well!
Will there be a schedule update for both lines this December with the service changes
What is the reason that trains can’t carry passengers through the LAX Metro Center station and simply bypass it? Seems that this would save a lot of money for Metro and time for passengers, and the trains are clearly going to be running through the station anyway (minus the passengers).
Hi G —
There is still some ongoing work at the station and we need state PUC approval to carry riders through. We are almost done with the station — the gap in the K Line between Aviation/Century is temporary!
Steve Hymon
The Source
I currently commute from Nowalk to El Segundo Station. Now I have to change trains at Aviation/Century? You say that this will add a “few minutes” to our commute, but that is only if there is a train at Century ready to head south. If not, it will add many more minutes. This makes riding the train very unappealing. The last plan I saw was to have the common station to C and K at Aviation/Imperial. This is a bad change for your loyal commuters to the South Bay.
Hi Donald;
Yes, to complete the trip you will need to transfer between the C and the K Line at Aviation/Century. The Metro Board voted to approve this plan in 2023. Here’s the staff report and the appendix items, including the three operating scenarios that were considered: https://boardagendas.metro.net/board-report/2023-0299/. The Board chose this operating plan based on several factors: expected and existing travek patterns, rider surveys, agency resources, having a direct connection to the new LAX/Metro Transit Center from all three directions and the plans we have to extend the K Line to both the north to Hollywood and south to Torrance. Hope this helps explain it. Thank you for riding and reaching out,
Steve Hymon
The Source
Why not extend C line to LAX/Metro Transit Center? It will make it much convenient for people traveling to/from LAX. Just one stop short, people have to get off and on to another line, that’s not people thinking.
The LAX Aviation shuttle probably stays where it is, until the main LAX Metro station opens, because there’s more room to park the buses (huge parking lot area there.) If LAX shuttle moved to Aviation and Century station, it’d gum up traffic even more ; isn’t that an already jammed traffic corner ?
You should change the aviation stations names. Aviation/LAX makes me think its CLOSER to LAX than Aviation/Century. Very confusing. Really need to think about that. Or which IS really closer to LAX regardless?
Hi —
After LAX/Metro Transit Center opens, Aviation/LAX will become Aviation/Imperial to help reduce confusion and make it clear that access to the airport will be via the LAX/MTC.
Steve Hymon
The Source
Hello! I love your projects so much! How to become a train operator ?
Hi Bryan;
The short answer: get hired as a bus operator, get some experience and then apply to be a train operator. Here’s how to apply: https://www.metro.net/about/careers/busoperator/. Good luck and thanks for your interest!
Steve Hymon
The Source
Would be kinda cool to extend the C Line along the PCH to the E Line at Santa Monica 😉 When the LAX Station is open, are there any anticipated changes to the LAX FlyAway bus or will it continue to stop at the terminals?
Hi Henry;
Unsure. The Flyaway is operated by LAWA and ultimately up to them. We’ll keep an eye on it and report any changes here.
Steve Hymon
The Source
Early Measure M maps show that – extending the C Line west and then north along PCH. But later the service on PCH was reclassified from light rail to BRT, so we can no longer have a one-seat ride from Norwalk to Downtown Santa Monica 🙁
So in looking at the map, if I want to go from Norwalk to Redondo Beach, I have to go all the way to Aviation/Century, THEN transfer BACK south? I’m duplicating a small portion of my route. Also, in looking at the map, NO trains will use that ‘straight’ east-west section on the ‘Y junction’, is that correct? (As the C-line trains do now, Mariposa to Aviation/LAX)–hope that makes sense. I think you should think about making every other train go Norwal-Redondo Beach, while the rest go Norwalk-Aviation/Century or however far north the C-line is planning on going. Either way, I’ll be there on grand opening (Nov 3) day to check out traversing that complex maze of tracks at the Y junction, that looks neat. Hope you’ll have some givaways and extra security/ambassadors to help us out.
Hi —
That is correct. To go from Norwalk to Redondo, you will take the C Line to Aviation/Century and then transfer to southbound K Line train to Redondo. The Metro Board did look at various operation scenarios and chose this one — based on travel patterns, resources, rider surveys, providing direct trips to the LAX/Metro Transit Center from all three directions (Expo/Crenshaw, Redondo, Norwalk), the projects to extend the K Line both north to Hollywood and south to Torrance, among others. Here’s the Board item and the attachments: https://boardagendas.metro.net/board-report/2023-0299/. This attacment shows the three operating plans under consideration: https://metro.legistar1.com/metro/attachments/fae3d306-8f73-48bd-aebd-6364b8ada7da.pdf. There was a lot of discussion by the Board and staff about this. While you do have to travel over the stretch of track between the C Line and Aviation/Century in both directions, it is completely separated from the street and pretty quick (I rode it recently). Hope this helps explain it,
Steve Hymon
The Source
This is embarrassing how long this took.
Where’s the new timetables for the c and k lines?
Even more embarrassing that the people mover, what its like 2.25 miles, took so long, not done yet, got delayed. How hard is it to build something 2.25 miles long?
Even the CA High Speed Rail made better progress during that timeframe!
All set aside, I’m really impressed with how fast the A-Line Foothill extension got built (APU/Citrus – Pomona).