Four Electrical Blasts, More Questions at LAX

LAX People Mover Faces New Safety Concerns After Four Electrical Arc Incidents

Los Angeles International Airport’s (LAX) long-delayed People Mover project is facing fresh safety concerns after four electrical arc incidents damaged parts of its power rail and guideway in September. Newly released footage obtained by FOX 11 Los Angeles shows a bright electrical flash near the tracks shortly after a test train passes, followed by visible sparks and smoke.

According to ABC7 Los Angeles, the incidents were documented in a report prepared by infrastructure consultancy Infrata for the project’s financial backers. Three incidents reportedly occurred at separate locations on September 23, followed by a fourth on September 25. The exact cause remains under investigation.

Rail and transportation expert Timothy Borchers told ABC7 that four incidents of this kind were unprecedented in his experience. He described an arc flash as an uncontrolled electrical discharge and warned that a similar event involving a passenger train could potentially cause a fire. Borchers also called the recorded flash one of the most severe he had witnessed.

Project contractor LINXS says the damage was limited to a few feet of power rail, did not involve the power distribution system, and did not indicate a defect in the installed electrical system. The company also reported no damage to passenger vehicles and said repairs had been completed. Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA), which operates LAX, confirmed that the cause is still being investigated, the affected issues have been addressed, and testing has resumed. Airport officials have also directed media outlets to an information website explaining that arc flashes may occur during testing.

While testing is designed to identify technical problems before passengers board, repeated electrical failures naturally raise questions about reliability and safety. Experts warn of potential risks, while project officials maintain that the damage was limited and repairs are complete. So far, however, no full public explanation of the incidents has been provided.

These setbacks come amid years of delays for the automated passenger transportation system, also known as SkyLink. Originally expected to open in 2023, the People Mover has repeatedly missed its launch targets. Once operational, it is intended to connect airport terminals with parking facilities, the rental car center, and the LAX Metro Transit Center, reducing reliance on vehicles circulating around the airport.

The project’s cost has also climbed to approximately $3.3 billion, far above its original budget. Disputes between the contractor and the city over responsibility for delays and additional costs have added further financial and legal pressure.

For a project designed to make getting around LAX easier, these latest incidents are another unwelcome hurdle. The key question now is whether officials can demonstrate that the underlying problem has been resolved and that the system can operate safely and reliably before passenger service begins.