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The AirTrain Newark is a 3-mile monorail system that has been in operation at Newark Liberty International Airport since 1996. The monorail connects the airport terminals and parking facilities to the Newark Liberty International Airport Station, where passengers can transfer to Amtrak and NJ Transit's Northeast Corridor Line and North Jersey Coast Line. While the monorail has provided easy access to the airport for over two decades, there are plans to replace it with a modern alternative. Construction on the new AirTrain system is expected to begin in 2025, with passenger service anticipated to start in 2030.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | AirTrain Newark |
| Location | Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) |
| Type | Monorail people mover system |
| Length | 3-mile (4.8 km) |
| Cost | $354 million |
| Operator | The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey |
| Contractor | Von Roll/Adtranz/Bombardier Transportation/Alstom |
| Trains | 18 Von Roll Mk III trainsets, each consisting of 6 cars |
| Speed | 20 miles per hour (32 km/h) |
| Stations | 3 major stations within the airport (one for each terminal A, B, and C) |
| Operating Hours | 5 AM to 11 PM (shuttle service at nighttime) |
| Frequency | Every 3-5 minutes (5 AM to 11 PM); every 15 minutes (11 PM to 5 AM) |
| Fare | Free for airport transfers; $8.50 access fee for RailLink station connections |
| Accessibility | Fully ADA accessible with escalators, elevators, and stairs |
| Replacement | Construction to begin in 2025, passenger service expected in 2030 |
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What You'll Learn
- The AirTrain Newark monorail is operational and connects the airport terminals
- The monorail is set to be replaced by the mid-to-late 2020s
- Construction of the replacement is expected to begin in 2025
- The AirTrain is free, except for passengers travelling to and from the RailLink station
- The monorail has been operational since 1996
The AirTrain Newark monorail is operational and connects the airport terminals
The AirTrain Newark has three major stations within the airport, one for each terminal (A, B, and C). It provides easy connections to NJ Transit, PATH, and Amtrak through the Newark Liberty Airport Station. 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. During nighttime hours, a shuttle service is provided, requiring the transfer of trains. These shuttles generally run from the Airport Station to Terminal C, Terminal C to Rental Car, and Rental Car to Terminal A.
While the AirTrain Newark monorail is currently operational, there are plans to replace it with a modern alternative. In 2015, Port Authority officials indicated that the 1996 vintage monorail system was showing its age and that the airport had outgrown it. Construction on the replacement is expected to begin in 2025, with passenger service anticipated in 2030. The new AirTrain system will feature cable-drawn railcars manufactured by Doppelmayr and is expected to cost $3.5 billion.
The AirTrain Newark monorail has undergone several periods of suspension and repairs throughout its history. In 2000, the monorail temporarily shut down for six months due to defects in its de-icing mechanisms. Additionally, in 2014, the system was suspended for 75 days to allow for repairs, which were completed ahead of schedule. Despite these interruptions, the AirTrain Newark continues to provide a vital connection between the airport terminals and transportation options at Newark Liberty International Airport Station.
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The monorail is set to be replaced by the mid-to-late 2020s
The AirTrain Newark, a 3-mile (4.8 km) monorail system, has been in operation at Newark Liberty International Airport since 1996. The monorail connects the airport terminals, parking facilities, and trains at Newark Liberty International Airport Station on the Northeast Corridor (NEC). It provides easy connections to NJ Transit, PATH, and Amtrak services.
The decision to replace the monorail was made due to its aging infrastructure and the airport's growth, which had outgrown the monorail system. The replacement project will improve capacity and mobility options at one of the busiest airports in the country. The new AirTrain stations will also improve the travel experience for Terminal A users, eliminating the need for a shuttle bus or walking from the existing monorail station to the new terminal.
The AirTrain Newark is currently operational, with trains arriving and departing 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 service is free for passengers travelling within the airport, while those connecting to NJ Transit or Amtrak services must pay an $8.50 AirTrain access fee.
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Construction of the replacement is expected to begin in 2025
The AirTrain Newark, a 3-mile (4.8 km) monorail system, has been in operation at Newark Liberty International Airport since 1996. The monorail connects the airport terminals, parking facilities, and trains at Newark Liberty International Airport Station on the Northeast Corridor (NEC). It provides easy connections to NJ Transit, PATH, and Amtrak services.
In 2015, Port Authority officials acknowledged that the monorail system was showing its age, and the airport had outgrown it. Plans were made to replace the system, with an initial projected cost of $1.7 billion. However, the replacement project faced delays and cost increases. In 2024, the total project cost was approved at $3.5 billion, with funding coming from various sources, including deferring funds from a dormant project to extend PATH service from Newark Penn Station to the airport.
Construction of the replacement monorail is now expected to begin in 2025, with passenger service anticipated to start in 2030. The new system will feature cable-driven trainsets manufactured by Doppelmayr, similar to the system used at Oakland's airport. The new AirTrain stations and the Northeast Corridor rail station will continue the architectural theme of the airport's terminals, with high ceilings and ample natural light. The replacement project aims to improve connectivity and enhance the travel experience for passengers using Newark Airport.
The current AirTrain Newark system operates using 18 Von Roll Mk III trainsets, each consisting of 6 cars. These trains travel at speeds of up to 20 miles per hour (32 km/h) and provide free transportation between the airport terminals. However, passengers traveling to and from the RailLink station to connect with NJ Transit or Amtrak must pay an "AirTrain access fee" of $8.50. This fee is included in the ticket price when purchased through the NJ TRANSIT Mobile App, Web Ticketing, or ticket vending machines.
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The AirTrain is free, except for passengers travelling to and from the RailLink station
The AirTrain Newark is a 3-mile (4.8 km) monorail system that connects the terminals and parking facilities at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) to the Newark Liberty International Airport Station on the Northeast Corridor (NEC). The monorail, which operates using 18 Von Roll Mk III trainsets, has been in operation since 1996 and is currently managed by Alstom under contract with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.
While the AirTrain is free to use for passengers travelling between the airport terminals and parking facilities, there is a charge for passengers travelling to and from the RailLink station to connect with NJ Transit or Amtrak. These passengers must pay an "AirTrain access fee" of $8.50 at the RailLink station. This fee is automatically added to the ticket price when purchasing a rail ticket to or from the station, and a barcode is printed on the ticket to allow passage through the fare gate array.
Passengers using passes to another station or those paying a cash fare on board the train must purchase a separate AirTrain ticket from machines located on either side of the fare gates. It is important to note that child tickets (ages 5 to 11) are exempt from this additional fare. The AirTrain access fee has been subject to multiple increases since the system was built, with the most recent increase to $8.50 taking effect on March 1, 2024.
The AirTrain provides easy connections to NJ Transit, PATH, and Amtrak through the Newark Liberty Airport Station. It offers transportation between the airport terminals and arrives every 3-5 minutes daily from 5 am to 11 pm. During the nighttime, a shuttle service operates approximately every 15 minutes, requiring a transfer of trains. The AirTrain is accessible to customers using mobility devices, with escalators, elevators, and stairs available at the stations.
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The monorail has been operational since 1996
The monorail at Newark Airport, known as AirTrain Newark, has been operational since 1996. It is a 3-mile (4.8 km) monorail people mover system that connects the terminals and parking facilities at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) to the trains at Newark Liberty International Airport Station on the Northeast Corridor (NEC). The system was constructed to alleviate vehicular traffic at the terminals and operates using 18 Von Roll Mk III trainsets, with each train consisting of 6 cars. The trains can travel up to 20 miles per hour (32 km/h) and arrive every 3-5 minutes during the day and every 15 minutes at night.
When the system first opened in 1996, it initially served only as an airport circulator, allowing passengers to transfer between airport terminals. The original fleet consisted of 12 six-car trains, but this was later expanded to 18 six-car trains. The monorail tracks were extended to the Northeast Corridor in 2001. Over the years, the AirTrain has experienced temporary shutdowns and repairs, including a 75-day suspension in 2014 and a six-month shutdown in 2000 due to defects in the de-icing mechanisms.
The AirTrain is free for passengers travelling within the airport, but those connecting to NJ Transit or Amtrak must pay an $8.50 "AirTrain access fee". This fee is included in the ticket price when purchasing a rail ticket to or from the station. The AirTrain has three major stations within the airport, one for each terminal (A, B, and C). It provides easy connections to NJ Transit, PATH, and Amtrak through the Newark Liberty Airport Station, making it convenient to travel to nearby cities like New York and Philadelphia.
While the monorail has been operational since 1996, plans for its replacement have been discussed since 2015 due to the system's age and the airport's growth. Construction on the new AirTrain system is expected to begin in 2025, with passenger service anticipated in 2030. The new system will feature cable-driven trainsets manufactured by Doppelmayr, replacing the current Von Roll Mk III monorail trainsets.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, the monorail at Newark Airport is currently operational. The AirTrain Newark is a 3-mile monorail system that connects the airport terminals and parking facilities. It also connects to the Newark Liberty International Airport Station, where transfers can be made to Amtrak and NJ Transit train lines.
The AirTrain is free for passengers travelling within the airport. However, 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 purchasing a rail ticket to or from the station.
The AirTrain operates 7 days a week, arriving and departing every 3-5 minutes daily from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. It runs approximately every 15 minutes between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m., with a shuttle service requiring a transfer of trains.
Yes, there are plans to replace the current monorail system at Newark Airport. Construction on the $3.5 billion replacement project is expected to begin in 2025, with passenger service anticipated in 2030. The new AirTrain system will improve connections within the airport and is expected to feature cable-driven trainsets.
