people mover

American  

noun

1. any of various forms of mass transit, as moving sidewalks or automated driverless vehicles, used for transporting people along limited, fixed routes, as around airports or congested urban areas.

2. any vehicle that transports people quickly from one destination to another.

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people mover British  

noun

1. any of various automated forms of transport for large numbers of passengers over short distances, such as a moving pavement, driverless cars, etc

2. another name for multipurpose vehicle

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Etymology

Origin of people mover

First recorded in 1965–70

Example Sentences

Major projects underway include the long-awaited people mover at LAX, a Sepulveda Pass subway, and new light rail to Pomona, Torrance and Southeast L.A.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 16, 2026

A long-awaited automated people mover train that connects that station to Los Angeles International Airport is expected to open sometime later this year.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 24, 2026

These compromises create the dead-stick handling, latency and hysteresis that typifies your average two-box people mover.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 6, 2026

The debate was renewed more than a decade ago and plans for the airport’s people mover connection and Metro’s station were ultimately approved.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 6, 2025

Until the people mover train opens, travelers will be able to continue shuttling to and from the airport via bus.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 24, 2025