LAWA BOARD AUTHORIZES UPCOMING RELEASE OF REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR AUTOMATED PEOPLE MOVER AT LAX

           (Los Angeles, California – July 13, 2017) The Los Angeles Board of Airport Commissioners (BOAC) has authorized Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) to issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the Automated People Mover (APM) train at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).  The RFP for the APM is one component of the larger $5.5 billion Landside Access Modernization Program (LAMP), which is designed to reduce traffic at the airport by adding a train into the Central Terminal Area (CTA) that connects to Los Angeles Metro’s light rail system, a consolidated rental car (ConRAC) facility, and additional parking structures with new areas for picking up and dropping off passengers.  This is the first time a Public Private Partnership (P3) Design Build Finance Operate Maintain (DBFOM) model will be used to construct and operate an APM.

“We are excited to move forward with this essential component of the LAMP project,” said BOAC President Sean Burton. “One reason Los Angeles World Airports chose a P3 – Public Private Partnership for this project is to expedite the delivery of this critical improvement that will create a better experience for passengers at LAX.”

The LAMP project consists of five major components: the APM, the ConRAC, two Intermodal Transportation Facilities (ITF East and West), and roadway improvements throughout the LAX area.

·        The APM will be a be an elevated electric powered train with six stations along the 2.25 mile alignment (three inside the CTA and three outside the CTA), conveniently connecting travelers and employees to light rail, regional buses, parking and terminals. APM stations within the CTA will connect to the terminals via pedestrian bridges with moving walkways.

·        The ConRAC will eliminate the need for rental car shuttles/buses to enter the CTA.  This will decrease traffic congestion and free up curb space by bringing 23 rental car companies, currently scattered across the airport area, in one facility.  Passengers will be conveniently dropped off at the ConRAC by the APM.  

·        Both the East and West ITFs will serve airport users with two locations outside the CTA. The ITFs will provide parking and curb space to pick-up and drop-off passengers and will connect passengers to the CTA via the APM. The ITF East station will connect to the Metro Green and Crenshaw Rail Lines via a new station being built by Metro. 

·        Streets will be improved in and around the project area to provide access to the new facilities.  

“The APM is a critical project for the future modernization of LAX and is the solution to providing reliable, time-certain access to airline terminals for passengers, employees and other users.” said LAWA Chief Executive Officer Deborah Flint. “Today’s authorization of the RFP is an important step towards delivering on that promise.  The RFP scoring process is designed to give us a qualified team that will deliver a high quality, reliable and beautifully designed system.”

The RFP is the last step in a three-part solicitation process.  LAWA previously conducted two separate Request for Qualifications (RFQ) processes to identify firms capable of supplying both the APM operating systems and the fixed facilities.  After the two lists were established, the eligible developers and operators were free to team up to jointly deliver the APM as an integrated team.  Of the initial shortlisted developers and operators, three integrated teams remain. 

Scoring for this project is based on technical qualifications, visual appeal, and user experience.  The evaluation criteria were developed to ensure a fair and transparent procurement that maximizes private sector creativity and innovation. 

Public agencies across the country are utilizing the P3 project delivery DBFOM model to build large infrastructure projects because it allows projects to benefit from the experience, efficiency, and resources of private sector partners. A private partner can accelerate project delivery with innovative ideas and by providing initial investment in exchange for annual payments for the contract duration.  

The RFP is scheduled to be released to the integrated teams at the end of July.  Technical bids for the APM will be due in November 2017 and proposers whose technical bids meet minimum criteria will submit financial proposals in December 2017.  A contract is expected to be awarded by early 2018. The APM is anticipated to be operational in 2023.  More information about LAMP is available by visiting www.connectinglax.com .  

About Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)

           LAX is the fourth busiest airport in the world, second in the United States, and was named one of Skytrax’ 2017 Top 10 Most Improved Airports.  LAX served more than 80.9 million passengers in 2016.  LAX offers 737 daily nonstop flights to 100 cities in the U.S. and 1,386 weekly nonstop flights to 88 cities in 44 countries on 73 commercial air carriers.  LAX ranks 14th in the world and fifth in the U.S. in air cargo tonnage processed, with more than 2.2 million tons of air cargo valued at over $101.4 billion.  LAX handled 697,138 operations (landings and takeoffs) in 2016. 

An economic study based on 2014 operations reported LAX generated 620,600 jobs in Southern California with labor income of $37.3 billion and economic output (business revenues) of more than $126.6 billion. This activity added $6.2 billion to local and state revenues and $8.7 billion in federal tax revenues.  The study also reported that LAX’s ongoing capital-improvement program creates an additional 121,640 annual jobs with labor income of $7.6 billion and economic output of $20.3 billion, $966 million in state and local taxes, and $1.6 billion in federal tax revenues.

            LAX is also the second most popular airport in the world to appear on Instagram according to wego.com. LAX is part of a system of two Southern California airports – along with Van Nuys general aviation – that are owned and operated by Los Angeles World Airports, a proprietary department of the City of Los Angeles that receives no funding from the City’s general fund.

For more information about LAX, please visit www.lawa.aero/lax or follow on Twitter @flyLAXAirport , on Facebook at www.facebook.com/LAInternationalAirport , and on YouTube at www.YouTube.com/laxairport1 .  Information about LAX’s ongoing multi-billion-dollar LAX Modernization Program, as well as tips and shortcuts to help navigate LAX during construction, are available at www.LAXisHappening.com .