Rider stories from the first 100 days at LAX/Metro Transit Center Station

Ayla Harp had just landed in Los Angeles from Seattle, excited to reunite with five relatives flying in from Canada. Their plan was simple: meet at LAX and head to Long Beach. The last time they attempted this trip a few years ago, the taxi fare alone exceeded $100.  

This time, they decided to try something new — the LAX/Metro Transit Center Station (also known as LAX/MTC for short). They hopped on the free airport shuttle (Metro Connector), bought their fares, and the entire trip for all six of them came to just $10.50. 

“We were looking for a cheaper option and this was great,” Ayla said, smiling. With six carry-ons and some backpacks in tow, they were relieved to find plenty of space on the train. What helped most, she added, were the Metro Ambassadors in green shirts: “We got here and didn’t know what we were doing, but they guided us through everything.”

Moments like this have been happening every day since June 6, when the LAX/Metro Transit Center Station opened. This Sunday marks 100 days since that opening, and we wanted to hear from the people who are putting this new gateway to Los Angeles to the test. 

The Transit Center itself is massive! Just to give you an idea, the site covers nearly 500,000 square feet— about the size of nine NFL football fields and includes a platform for the C and K Lines and bus bays for Metro Bus Lines  102, 111, 117, 120 and 232, plus buses run by municipal operators such as Beach Cities Transit, Big Blue Bus, Culver CityBus, and GTrans. Travelers heading to LAX can ride the free LAX-operated shuttle bus called the Metro Connector from here until the People Mover opens.

With wide platforms, escalators and elevators, landscaped bus bays, restrooms, a Bike Hub, Metro Micro and even public art, the station was designed to make connections simple. Check out our earlier post if you’d like a step-by-step guide: How to use the LAX/Metro Transit Center with new bus and rail connections. 

Byron and Mya Cantillano, two brothers visiting from Washington, D.C., said they were surprised by how affordable and straightforward it was. “We also tried Uber, and it was $20 for just a few minutes,” Mya said. “Metro got us further for $1.75.” Byron mentioned that by using Google Maps they learned about the new station. “From LAX, we took the free bus to the LAX/Metro Transit Center… It was the quickest way to leave the airport an connect to the system,” he says. From there they explored North Hollywood and Universal Studios — all by transit. “I noticed security at pretty much every stop,” Mya added. Byron chimed in: “If you’re flying into LAX, definitely use the Transit Center Station. Metro will take you everywhere.” 

International visitors are also finding their way. Holly Wicke, from Australia, had already traveled across Europe and the U.S. before landing in LA. “I take public transit back home, so I’m familiar with the system,” she said. “This station was organized with easy signage on the screens. As a solo traveler, that’s really helpful.” Google Maps guided her to the LAX shuttle and from there she planned to take Metro Bus Line 232 to Hermosa Beach. “My phone suggested to buy a TAP [card to pay for fare], so I added it to my wallet along with some currency,” she says. “It was neat. I didn’t need to buy a [physical] ticket or get cash.” 

But the Transit Center isn’t only helping visitors—it’s changing daily routines for many LAX employees. Hector Flores, who works Sundays through Thursdays, used to pay $65 a month for parking. “I don’t do that anymore,” he said. “This station is more convenient. I don’t get stuck in traffic, and I travel without stress on the train.” As a senior, Hector now pays just 75 cents at peak hours and 35 cents  off-peak. (Learn more about fares here). 

For LAX ramp agent Michael Villareal, who lives in Hawthorne, the change is all about time. “Before, buses took more than 40 minutes. Now the train comes every 10 minutes, and the schedule is very consistent. It saves me a lot of time.” 

For Ana Rivera, who has been preparing food at LAX for seven years, transit is essential because she doesn’t drive. She takes Gardena’s GTrans 5 bus to the LAX/MTC and then the free shuttle to work. “I have different options, but Metro is the fastest way,” she said. She also notices the effort to keep things safe and clean. “Every time the train stops here, people go inside to clean. I’ve even told coworkers to stop driving and try the station — they can save money and there are a lot of alternatives.” 

The LAX/MTC is even playing a role on game day. During Rams and Chargers home games, Metro runs a free shuttle from Bay 8 at the Transit Center to SoFi Stadium, beginning three hours before kickoff and for 90 minutes after the game ends. In just two preseason games this September, more than 4,100 riders used the service. 

But it’s not just about connections to the stadium. This station also features a VenHub, a 24/7 AI-powered smart store that uses robotics and a mobile app to provide a fully staffless shopping experience. In its first 100 days, the store has already sold more than 10,000 items. VenHub offers drinks, candy, granola bars, travel essentials, and even fresh options rarely seen in transit such as ramen bowls, tuna, and protein snacks -all at affordable prices. Riders are loving it, and some are even taking the train specifically to this station just to visit this one-of-a-kind store.  

What have we learned in these first 100 days? This isn’t just another station. It’s a place where families reunite and travel together affordably, where airport workers get back hours of their lives, where visitors from around the world feel at ease, and where football fans can skip the parking nightmare. For a city that thrives on movement, that kind of connection is no small thing. 

Come see for yourself. The connections are here, waiting for you.