Roberta Aguirre
AirTrain Newark is a 3-mile monorail system that has been serving Newark Liberty International Airport since 1996. The AirTrain connects the airport terminals and parking facilities to the Newark Liberty International Airport Station, where passengers can transfer to Amtrak or NJ Transit trains. While the AirTrain is free to use within the airport, there is a fee for passengers travelling to and from the Rail Link station. Over the years, the AirTrain has received mixed reviews, with some passengers expressing concerns about its reliability and maintenance, while others find it convenient for transfers to and from the airport. In 2019, plans were approved for the AirTrain Newark Replacement Project, with construction expected to begin in 2021 and be completed by 2024.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Distance Covered | 3 miles (4.8 km) |
| Type of System | Monorail people mover system |
| Terminals Connected | A, B, and C |
| Parking Facilities | Available |
| Train Connections | Northeast Corridor trains, North Jersey Coast Line trains |
| Operating Hours | 24/7 |
| Frequency | Every 3-5 minutes (5 am-11 pm), every 15 minutes (11 pm-5 am) |
| Shuttle Service | Available during nighttime |
| Average Travel Time | 15 minutes |
| Average Speed | 20 miles per hour (32 km/h) |
| Fare | Free between terminals, $8.25-$8.50 for Rail Link station |
| Tickets | One-way, monthly passes |
| Construction | Started in 1991, completed in 1996 |
| Replacement | Approved in 2019, expected completion in 2026 |
| Contractor | Doppelmayr, Tutor Perini |
| Cost | $3.5 billion |
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What You'll Learn
- AirTrain Newark is a monorail people mover system
- It connects terminals, parking facilities, and Newark Liberty International Airport Station
- It is free to use between airport terminals and stations
- Passengers must pay an 8.50 AirTrain access fee when travelling to and from the RailLink station
- AirTrain arrives and departs every 3-5 minutes daily from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m
AirTrain Newark is a monorail people mover system
AirTrain Newark is a 3-mile (4.8 km) monorail people mover system. It connects the terminals and parking facilities at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) to the Newark Liberty International Airport Station on the Northeast Corridor (NEC). At the airport station, travellers can transfer to Amtrak or NJ Transit's Northeast Corridor Line and North Jersey Coast Line. The AirTrain is free to use within the airport, but passengers travelling to and from the RailLink station to connect with NJ Transit or Amtrak must pay an $8.50 AirTrain access fee.
The AirTrain Newark opened in 1996 and is currently operated by Alstom under contract to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. The Port Authority also operates the airport. The monorail was constructed by Adtranz, which acquired the original contractor Von Roll during the construction phase. Adtranz was later acquired by Bombardier Transportation, which was itself purchased by Alstom. The AirTrain operates using 18 Von Roll Mk III trainsets, each train consisting of 6 cars. Trains travel up to 20 miles per hour (32 km/h) along the line.
The AirTrain arrives and departs every 3-5 minutes daily from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. and approximately every 15 minutes between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. The nighttime operation is a shuttle service that requires a transfer of trains. The shuttle generally runs from the Airport Station (also known as Train Station) to Terminal C, Terminal C to Rental Car, and Rental Car to Terminal A. The AirTrain is open 24/7.
In 2019, the Port Authority approved the AirTrain Newark Replacement Project, with an estimated cost of $2.05 billion. The current system is reaching the end of its projected 25-year life and is subject to frequent breakdowns. Construction is expected to start in 2021 and be completed in 2024, with the new system commencing commercial operations in 2026. The Austrian-based Doppelmayr Group was awarded a contract for $570 million to design and construct the 2.5-mile automated people-mover system. The new system will use automated, cable-driven trains and will have four stations.
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It connects terminals, parking facilities, and Newark Liberty International Airport Station
AirTrain Newark is a 3-mile (4.8 km) monorail system that connects the terminals and parking facilities at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR). It also connects to trains at Newark Liberty International Airport Station on the Northeast Corridor (NEC), where transfers are possible to Amtrak and NJ Transit's Northeast Corridor Line and North Jersey Coast Line. The monorail system has three major stations within the airport, one for each terminal (A, B, and C). It arrives every 3-5 minutes daily from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. and approximately every 15 minutes between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. The AirTrain is free to use within the airport and to Newark Penn Station, but passengers travelling to and from the RailLink station to connect with NJ Transit or Amtrak must pay an $8.50 AirTrain access fee. This fee is automatically added to the ticket price when purchased in advance.
The AirTrain is accessible to those with disabilities and announcements onboard the trains inform riders of the airlines and connections available at each station. It has a maximum speed of 20 miles per hour (32 km/h) and the total travel time from the airport to Penn Station in NYC can take between 30 to 45 minutes. At least six NJ TRANSIT trains stop every hour at the airport station between 6 a.m. and 9 p.m. on weekdays. Four trains stop every hour between 9 p.m. and midnight.
The AirTrain was constructed to alleviate vehicular traffic at the terminals and opened in 1996, with plans to replace it in the mid-to-late 2020s. The replacement project, which will use automated, cable-driven trains, was approved in October 2019 with an estimated cost of $2.05 billion. Construction was expected to start in 2021 and be completed in 2024, but the proposed opening date was later shifted to 2026.
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It is free to use between airport terminals and stations
The AirTrain at Newark Liberty International Airport is a free monorail service connecting the airport's terminals and stations. It operates 24/7, arriving and departing every 3-5 minutes from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. and approximately every 15 minutes between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. The nighttime operation is a shuttle service that requires a transfer of trains. The AirTrain provides easy connections to and from NJ TRANSIT, PATH, and Amtrak through the Newark Liberty Airport Station.
Passengers can use the AirTrain to travel between the airport's Terminals A, B, and C, as well as various parking facilities and the Newark Liberty International Airport Station on the Northeast Corridor (NEC). At this station, transfers are possible to Amtrak and NJ Transit's Northeast Corridor Line and North Jersey Coast Line. The AirTrain is particularly useful for those travelling to New York City's Penn Station, as it provides a direct connection to NJ Transit trains heading there.
While the AirTrain is generally free to use between airport terminals and stations, there is a fee for passengers travelling to and from the RailLink station to connect with NJ Transit or Amtrak. This "AirTrain access fee" is $8.50 and is automatically added to the price of the rail ticket when purchased in advance. Passengers using passes to another station and those paying a cash fare on board must purchase a separate AirTrain ticket from machines located by the fare gates.
The AirTrain at Newark Airport has been operational since 1996, with plans for a replacement system to be implemented by the mid-to-late 2020s. The current system is showing signs of ageing and has been criticised by some users for being unreliable and in need of maintenance. Despite this, it remains a popular transportation option, with an average daily paid ridership of 4,930 in 2007.
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Passengers must pay an 8.50 AirTrain access fee when travelling to and from the RailLink station
The AirTrain at Newark Liberty International Airport is a 3-mile monorail system that connects the airport terminals and parking facilities to the Newark Liberty International Airport Station, where passengers can transfer to Amtrak or NJ Transit trains. The AirTrain is free to use between airport terminals and stations, but passengers travelling to and from the RailLink station to connect with NJ Transit or Amtrak must pay an AirTrain access fee of $8.50.
This access fee is automatically added to the price of your rail ticket when purchased in advance, and a barcode is printed on the ticket, allowing you to pass through the fare gate between the AirTrain and train platforms. If you are using a pass for another station or paying a cash fare on board the train, you will need to purchase a separate AirTrain ticket from machines located by the fare gates. It is important to note that tickets purchased on the train will not allow passengers to enter the Rail Link station; the access fee must be paid at the station. Child tickets for children aged 5 to 11 are exempt from this additional fare.
The AirTrain access fee has been raised several times since the system was built, with the last increase to $8.50 taking effect on March 1, 2024. It is recommended that passengers travelling to the airport and planning to return via AirTrain and NJ TRANSIT purchase two one-way tickets before departing from their boarding station. Monthly passes offer savings of approximately 30% compared to regular one-way fares and are valid for unlimited trips within the calendar month. However, only monthly passes with Newark International Airport Station as the origin or destination will allow passage through the fare gate without an additional access fee.
The AirTrain at Newark Airport has been operational since 1996, but it has faced criticism in recent years due to maintenance issues and concerns about reliability. There are plans to replace the current system with a new automated, cable-driven train system, with construction expected to start in 2021 and be completed by 2026.
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AirTrain arrives and departs every 3-5 minutes daily from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m
AirTrain Newark is a 3-mile monorail people mover system that connects the terminals and parking facilities at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR). It also connects to trains at Newark Liberty International Airport Station on the Northeast Corridor (NEC), where transfers are possible to Amtrak and NJ Transit's Northeast Corridor Line and North Jersey Coast Line. The AirTrain is operational and arrives and departs every 3-5 minutes daily from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. and approximately every 15 minutes between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. The nighttime operation is a shuttle service that requires a transfer of trains.
The AirTrain is free to use between all terminals and Airport stations, except for travelling to and from the Amtrak and New Jersey Transit Station. Passengers entering or exiting the Rail Link station must pay a fee of $8.25 or $8.50, depending on the source. This fee is automatically added to the ticket price when purchased in advance. Passengers using passes to another station or paying a cash fare on board the train must purchase a separate AirTrain ticket from machines located on either side of the fare gates. Child tickets for children aged 5 to 11 are exempt from this additional fare.
The AirTrain has three major stations within the airport, one for each terminal (A, B, and C). It operates using 18 Von Roll Mk III trainsets, each train consisting of 6 cars. The trains travel at speeds of up to 20 miles per hour (32 km/h) along the line. The total travel time between the airport and Newark Liberty Airport Train Station can take between 30 to 45 minutes.
The AirTrain Newark was constructed between 1991 and 1996, with the monorail opening on May 31, 1996. It initially served only as an airport circulator, allowing passengers to transfer between airport terminals. The contract to build the system was awarded to Von Roll but was finished by Adtranz, which acquired Von Roll's monorail division during construction. The system has undergone maintenance issues and has been criticised for its reliability. Despite this, it continues to operate under Alstom, which acquired Adtranz. In 2019, the Port Authority approved the AirTrain Newark Replacement Project, with construction expected to be completed by 2026.
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Frequently asked questions
The AirTrain is free to use between all terminals and airport stations. However, passengers travelling to and from the RailLink station to connect with NJ Transit or Amtrak must pay an $8.50 AirTrain access fee.
The AirTrain arrives and departs every 3-5 minutes daily from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. and approximately every 15 minutes between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m.
Yes, the AirTrain is currently operational. However, reviews suggest that it may be unreliable and in need of maintenance. In 2014, the AirTrain service was suspended for 75 days to allow for repairs.
