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AirTrain Newark

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AirTrain Newark
AirTrain Newark in 2023
Overview
OwnerPort Authority of New York and New Jersey
LocaleNewark Liberty International Airport, Newark & Elizabeth, New Jersey
Stations5 (formerly 8)
Service
TypePeople mover, monorail
Operator(s)Alstom
Rolling stock18 x Von Roll Mk III
History
OpenedMay 31, 1996; 28 years ago (1996-05-31)
Last extensionOctober 21, 2001 (to RaiLink station)
Technical
Track length3 miles (4.8 km)
CharacterElevated
ElectrificationDual third rails
Operating speed20 mph (32 km/h)
Route map

Legend
Northeast Corridor
to Boston
 RailLink Station Amtrak NJ Transit
Northeast Corridor
to Washington
 P4
Terminal C
Terminal B
Former Terminal A (permanently closed)
(Employees only)
Terminal A
P1 (demolished)
This diagram:

AirTrain Newark is a 3-mile (4.8 km) monorail people mover system connecting the terminals and various parking facilities at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) and 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.[1] The monorail opened in 1996, and is planned to be replaced by the mid-to-late 2020s.

History

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Planning and initial operations

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View from the front car of a train in 1997

In 1991, ground was broken for AirTrain Newark's construction.[2] A monorail had been proposed in order to alleviate vehicular traffic at the terminals. Originally projected to open in 1994, the completion date was pushed back due to a change in project management and issues related to the system's switches.[2]

The $354 million monorail eventually opened on May 31, 1996.[2][3] It initially served only as an airport circulator, a service which allows passengers to transfer between airport terminals or concourses.[4][5] Service was phased in, with trains operating from 5 AM to 11 PM for the first 60 days of the monorail's operations, after which time it would operate at all times, starting early that August.[2] The monorail tracks were soon thereafter extended to the Northeast Corridor, with construction on that project beginning in 1997; the extension opened on October 21, 2001.[6][7][8]

When the system first opened in 1996, a fleet of 12 six-car trains ran on the network. The fleet was later expanded to 18 six-car trains.[9]

In September 2000, the monorail temporarily shut down after defects were detected in the system's de-icing mechanisms.[7][10][11][12] Originally anticipated to last for three months, the shutdown & repairs lasted for six months, and the monorail resumed operations on the morning of March 10, 2001.[10] Adtranz was responsible for paying the $25 million in repairs, and temporary shuttle buses provided service in lieu of the monorail during the shutdown period.[10]

The contract to build the system was awarded to Von Roll, but the project was finished by Adtranz, which acquired Von Roll's monorail division while the system was being built. Adtranz was later acquired by Bombardier Transportation, which was itself purchased by Alstom, which continues to operate the AirTrain under contract to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey – the operator of the airport.

AirTrain service was suspended from May 1, 2014, for 75 days, until mid-July, to allow for repairs to be made.[13][14] Repairs were completed early, and the system resumed operations on July 3.[15]

Replacement

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The system has a projected lifespan of 25 years.[16] In April 2015, the PANYNJ suggested that initial work to replace the system would cost $40 million in consultant and engineering studies.[17][18][19][5] In 2017, the Port Authority decided to include the then $1.7 billion PATH extension to the Newark Liberty International Airport "RailLink" station in their 2017 10-year capital plan, while the AirTrain was given $300 million for maintenance and repairs.[20]

However, in January 2019, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy announced a plan for a $2 billion replacement project for the AirTrain. Murphy has stated that replacement is necessary because the system is reaching the end of its projected 25-year life and is subject to persistent delays and breakdowns. The Port Authority would be responsible for funding the project.[16] In October 2019, the Port Authority's Board of Commissioners approved the AirTrain Newark Replacement Project, with an estimated cost of $2.05 billion. Construction was expected to start in 2021 and be completed in 2024.[21] A draft environmental impact statement was completed in February 2021 when the proposed opening date was shifted to 2026.[22] Federal environmental approval for the project was received later that year.[23]

In December 2023, the Port Authority announced that Doppelmayr will construct the replacement system, awarding them the contract in the first phase of the project's contract procurement process.[24][25][26][27] The new system will use automated, cable-driven trains, and many portions of the route will travel along new alignments; the new system will be in 2.5 miles (4.0 km) in length and have four stations.[24][25][28][29]

Fare

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The train is free, except for passengers traveling to and from the RailLink station to connect with NJ Transit or Amtrak; these passengers must pay an $8.50 "AirTrain access fee" at that station. When passengers purchase a rail ticket to or from the station, the fee is automatically added to the ticket price and a barcode is printed on the ticket that is used to pass through the fare gate array between the AirTrain platform and the train platform. Passengers using passes to another station and those who pay 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 (ages 5 to 11) are exempt from this additional fare.[30]

The access fee has been raised several times since the system was built, with the last increase to $8.50 going into effect on March 1, 2024.[31][32]

Stations

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Newark Liberty International Airport Station (RailLink station, Amtrak/NJ Transit trains)
Terminal C station
Terminal A (formerly P2; reopened January 2023)[33][34]

The AirTrain has three major stations within the airport: one for each terminal (A, B, and C). Two stations – Terminal B and Terminal C – sit on top of their respective terminal buildings. There are two other stations (P3 and P4) for the parking lots and rental car facilities, plus a sixth (the RailLink station) at the Northeast Corridor. The system previously included two other stations: P1 and P2 – but the P1 station was removed in July 2019 to permit construction of a new consolidated rental car and parking facility,[35] and P2 closed in June 2021 in connection with the same project.[33] However, the P2 station was reopened in conjunction with the new Terminal A in January 2023, and has since been renamed to Terminal A. The former Terminal A station, located atop the former Terminal A building, is now used as an "employees only" stop.[33]

Automated announcements recorded by former traffic reporter Bernie Wagenblast tell riders which airlines can be found in each terminal, as well as available connections at other stations.[36]

All stations are compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.[37]

In 2007, the average daily paid ridership was 4,930.[38]

Station[37] Connections[37] Notes
RailLink Opened on October 21, 2001[6][7][8]
P4
  • P4 parking garage – daily parking
  • Hotel shuttles
  • Rental car shuttles
 Initial terminus prior to the system's extension to the RailLink station[2]
Terminal C
Terminal B
Terminal A Permanently closed; originally served the original Terminal A[33]
P3
Terminal A
  • Terminal A
  • Short-term Parking A
  • Airport's current consolidated rental car facility
  • Originally named P2; reopened as Terminal A in January 2023[33]
  • Shuttle bus is currently required to access the AirTrain and terminal
P1 Permanently closed; demolished in July 2019

Rolling stock

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The interior of an AirTrain Newark monorail car in 2023

AirTrain Newark operates using 18 Von Roll Mk III trainsets, each train consisting of 6 cars.[9] Automated announcements onboard the trains announce the stations and the airlines & connections available at the given station – in addition to various other messages; the announcements are recorded by former traffic reporter Bernie Wagenblast.[36]

The fleet originally consisted of 12 six-car trains, but an additional six trainsets – also six cars in length – were eventually added, bringing the total number of trainsets to 18.[9]

Trains travel up to 20 miles per hour (32 km/h) along the line.[2]

Future

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Upon the completion of the replacement AirTrain Newark system in the 2020s, the current Von Roll Mk III monorail trainsets will be retired and replaced by cable-driven trainsets manufactured by Doppelmayr.[24][25][26][27]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Guide to Civil Engineering Projects In and Around New York City (2nd ed.). Metropolitan Section, American Society of Civil Engineers. 2009. p. 94.
  2. ^ a b c d e f Sullivan, John (May 30, 1996). "Long-Delayed Monorail to Open at Newark Airport". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved May 26, 2024.
  3. ^ "Newark Airport Monorail Set to Run". The New York Times. March 10, 2001. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved May 26, 2024.
  4. ^ Sharkey, Joe (June 1, 1996). "NEW JERSEY DAILY BRIEFING;Monorail Opens With Spat". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved December 21, 2016.
  5. ^ a b Tangel, Andrew; Janos, Adam (May 1, 2015). "Port Funds Plan to Replace Newark AirTrain". Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. Retrieved December 21, 2016.
  6. ^ a b Gootman, Elissa (October 22, 2001). "New Train Service To Newark Airport". The New York Times. Retrieved February 19, 2010.
  7. ^ a b c Sullivan, John (October 22, 2000). "Newark's Train to The Plane". The New York Times. Retrieved February 23, 2011.
  8. ^ a b Johnston, David Cay (November 25, 2001). "A Rail Link From New York to Newark Airport". The New York Times. pp. TR3 – via ProQuest.
  9. ^ a b c "Bombardier signs $243-million monorail contract for Newark airport". The Globe and Mail. August 3, 2012. Retrieved December 10, 2013.
  10. ^ a b c "Newark Airport Monorail Set to Run". The New York Times. March 10, 2001. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved May 26, 2024.
  11. ^ Smothers, Ronald (March 29, 2000). "Monorail to Newark Airport To Close 3 Months for Repairs". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved May 26, 2024.
  12. ^ "Tests Keep Airport's Monorail Closed". The New York Times. February 9, 2001. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved May 26, 2024.
  13. ^ Strunski, Steve (April 8, 2014). "Newark airport monorail to close for two months for repairs starting May 1". The Star-Ledger. Retrieved April 8, 2014.
  14. ^ "MEDIA ADVISORY – AIRTRAIN NEWARK SERVICE TO BE SUSPENDED FOR REPAIRS BEGINNING MAY 1, 2014" (Press release). PANYNJ. March 8, 2014. Archived from the original on October 28, 2019. Retrieved March 8, 2014.
  15. ^ Associated Press (July 3, 2014). "AirTrain running again at Newark airport after 2 months of repairs". NJ.com. Retrieved July 3, 2014.
  16. ^ a b Reitmeyer, John (January 23, 2019). "Murphy Wants to Replace Newark Airport Monorail, No More 'Bubblegum' Fixes". NJ Spotlight. Retrieved February 11, 2019.
  17. ^ Strunksy, Steve (April 30, 2015). "Will the Newark airport monorail keep running while a replacement is built?". NJ.com. Retrieved June 1, 2015.
  18. ^ Strunsky, Steve (April 27, 2015). "Newark airport monorail targeted for scrap heap, cost $354M to build". The Star-Ledger. Retrieved April 27, 2015.
  19. ^ Strunsky, Steve (April 29, 2015). "Cost to replace Newark airport monorail could top $1B, experts say". NJ.com. Retrieved June 1, 2015.
  20. ^ "$2 Billion Plans to Replace Rapidly Aging Newark Airport Monorail Advance". NBC New York. February 12, 2021. Retrieved April 26, 2021.
  21. ^ Higgs, Larry (October 24, 2019). "Big money fixes coming to Newark airport's monorail, PATH stations". NJ.com.
  22. ^ Higgs, Larry (February 12, 2021). "New AirTrain at Newark Airport could open in 2026, replace old monorail".
  23. ^ Lassen, David (August 18, 2021). "Newark AirTrain project gets federal environmental approval". Trains. Retrieved May 26, 2024.
  24. ^ a b c Higgs, Larry (December 14, 2023). "Newark airport monorail to be replaced with modern alternative, board says". nj. Retrieved December 15, 2023.
  25. ^ a b c Craig, Tara (December 15, 2023). "Doppelmayr wins Newark monorail contract". Airports International. Retrieved December 15, 2023.
  26. ^ a b Fazelpoor, Matthew (December 15, 2023). "Port Authority approves $9.3B budget, advances AirTrain replacement". NJBIZ. Retrieved December 15, 2023.
  27. ^ a b Staff, ROI-NJ (December 18, 2023). "Modern AirTrain at Newark airport takes another step with awarding of contract". ROI-NJ. Retrieved May 26, 2024.
  28. ^ "About – AirTrain EWR". Building A New EWR. Retrieved May 26, 2024.
  29. ^ "AIRTRAIN NEWARK REPLACEMENT PROGRAM TAKES MAJOR STEP FORWARD WITH SELECTION OF FIRM FOR DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF NEW AIRTRAIN TECHNOLOGY AND VEHICLES". www.panynj.gov. December 14, 2023. Retrieved May 26, 2024.
  30. ^ "Newark Liberty International Airport". NJ Transit. Retrieved March 14, 2022.
  31. ^ Lazar, David (March 5, 2023). "AirTrain fare increase goes into effect Sunday". NY1. Retrieved May 10, 2023.
  32. ^ Shwe, Elizabeth (March 5, 2023). "AirTrain fare increases to $8.25 due to 'inflation'". Gothamist. Retrieved May 10, 2023.
  33. ^ a b c d e "Bridges, Tunnels and Rail Advisory for June 1 to 4" (Press release). PANYNJ. June 2, 2021. Retrieved November 8, 2021.
  34. ^ "AirTrain Newark Map" (PDF). PANYNJ. Retrieved October 26, 2022.
  35. ^ "Airtrain EWR Replacement Program Briefing Book" (PDF). PANYNJ. p. 8. Retrieved November 8, 2021.
  36. ^ a b Calvan, Bobby Caina (June 22, 2023). "As a transgender woman, a New York City subway icon finds her voice". NBC New York. Retrieved May 26, 2024.
  37. ^ a b c "AirTrain Newark System Map" (PDF). www.panynj.gov. Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. Retrieved May 26, 2024.
  38. ^ "LIRR, AirTrain, Tri-Rail Note Higher Annual or Daily Passenger Counts". Progressive Railroading. February 8, 2008. Retrieved September 17, 2009.
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