AirTrain Newark
| Company type | Public transportation system |
|---|---|
| Industry | Transportation |
| Founded | 1996 |
| Headquarters | Newark, New Jersey , United States |
Area served | Newark Liberty International Airport |
| Owner | Port Authority of New York and New Jersey |
| Parent | Port Authority of New York and New Jersey |
AirTrain Newark is a monorail people mover network that links the terminals and parking facilities at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) to the Newark Liberty International Airport Station on the Northeast Corridor (NEC). This connection facilitates transfers to Amtrak and NJ Transit services. Since its inauguration in 1996, plans have been made to replace it with a Cable Liner system by 2030.
Planning and initial operations
Construction commenced in 1991 with the objective of easing traffic congestion around airport terminals. Although originally scheduled to open in 1994, delays postponed the launch until May 31, 1996, with total expenses reaching $354 million. The system initially functioned as an internal airport shuttle between terminals, with operating hours expanded from limited service to continuous 24-hour availability by August 1996. Work on extending the line to the NEC began in 1997 and was completed on October 21, 2001.
The initial rolling stock consisted of twelve trains, each comprised of six cars, which was later increased to eighteen such trains. In September 2000, the monorail ceased operations for half a year due to faults found in the de-icing equipment; repairs amounted to $25 million and were funded by the contractor Adtranz. During this downtime, shuttle buses provided alternative transportation.
The original contract for the system was awarded to Von Roll, but during construction, Adtranz acquired Von Roll’s monorail division and completed the project. Subsequently, Adtranz became part of Bombardier Transportation, which itself was acquired by Alstom. Today, Alstom operates the system under contract with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which owns the airport.
Service was temporarily halted for maintenance from May through July 2014; repairs were completed ahead of schedule, allowing operations to resume on July 3.
Replacement
Designed for a service life of approximately 25 years, the AirTrain system is due for replacement. In April 2015, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ) projected that initial replacement-related consulting and engineering assessments would cost around $40 million. By 2017, the Port Authority incorporated a $1.7 billion PATH extension to Newark Liberty International Airport into its decade-long capital plan while allocating $300 million specifically for AirTrain upkeep and repairs.
In January 2019, Governor Phil Murphy of New Jersey announced a $2 billion initiative to replace AirTrain Newark, highlighting concerns over its aging infrastructure and frequent operational delays. The Port Authority is financing this endeavor. Later that year, in October 2019, the Port Authority approved a $2.05 billion project for replacing AirTrain Newark, with construction originally slated between 2021 and 2024. A draft environmental impact statement was finalized in February 2021, adjusting the anticipated opening to 2026; federal environmental clearance was obtained later that year.
In December 2023, Doppelmayr secured the contract to manufacture the new system as part of the first procurement phase. The forthcoming automated cable-driven line will cover roughly 2.5 miles and include four stations aligned along new routes. Tutor Perini was awarded a $1.2 billion contract in November 2024 for constructing stations and elevated guideways; by this time, total costs had escalated to $3.5 billion with an extended completion target of 2030. Parsons Corporation was engaged in December 2024 to undertake design work for stations and guideway structures.
Fare
Travel on the train is complimentary for all riders except those journeying to or from the RailLink station, which connects with NJ Transit and Amtrak. These travelers are required to pay an $8.50 "AirTrain access fee." This charge is automatically incorporated into rail tickets that include this station, with a barcode facilitating entry through fare gates. Passengers holding passes valid for other stations or paying cash onboard must purchase a separate AirTrain ticket at vending machines located near the fare gates. Children aged 5 to 11 are not subject to this fee.
Since its introduction, the access fee has undergone multiple increases, most recently rising to $8.50 as of March 1, 2024.
Stations
The AirTrain services three principal airport terminals: A, B, and C. Stations for Terminals B and C are situated atop their respective terminal buildings. Additional stops include P3 and P4, which serve parking areas and rental car facilities, along with the RailLink station on the Northeast Corridor. The P1 station was permanently closed and demolished in July 2019, while P2 was shut down in June 2021 to allow construction of a combined rental car and parking complex; it reopened as the Terminal A station in January 2023. The original Terminal A station has been repurposed exclusively for employee use and relocated to the former P3 site.
Automated announcements at each terminal provide updates on airlines and connecting services. All stations are fully compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
In 2007, the average daily count of paying passengers was approximately 4,930.
| Station | Connections | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| RailLink | Opened October 21, 2001 | |
| P4 |
|
Served as initial terminus before extension to RailLink station |
| Terminal C |
|
|
| Terminal B |
|
|
| Template:Strike | Closed permanently; currently being demolished | |
| Template:Strike |
| |
| Terminal A |
|
|
| Template:Strike | Closed permanently; demolished in July 2019 |
Rolling stock
The AirTrain Newark system operates a fleet of 18 six-car trainsets manufactured by Von Roll, designated as Mk III models. Automated announcements onboard provide information about stations, airlines, and connections; these are voiced by former traffic reporter Bernie Wagenblast.
Initially, the fleet consisted of twelve six-car trains; an additional six trainsets were subsequently added, bringing the total to eighteen.
The trains are capable of reaching speeds up to .
Future
The existing Von Roll Mk III monorail vehicles are planned to be phased out by 2030, coinciding with the completion of the AirTrain Newark replacement project. These will be succeeded by cable-propelled trainsets supplied by the Doppelmayr company.