AirTrain Newark#Stations

File:NewarkMonorailViewFromFront.jpg

In 1991, ground was broken for AirTrain Newark's construction.{{Cite news |last=Sullivan |first=John |date=May 30, 1996 |title=Long-Delayed Monorail to Open at Newark Airport |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1996/05/30/nyregion/long-delayed-monorail-to-open-at-newark-airport.html |access-date=May 26, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}} 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.

The $354 million monorail eventually opened on May 31, 1996.{{Cite news |date=March 10, 2001 |title=Newark Airport Monorail Set to Run |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2001/03/10/nyregion/newark-airport-monorail-set-to-run.html |access-date=May 26, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}} It initially served only as an airport circulator, a service which allows passengers to transfer between airport terminals or concourses.{{Cite news |last=Sharkey |first=Joe |date=June 1, 1996 |title=NEW JERSEY DAILY BRIEFING;Monorail Opens With Spat |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1996/06/01/nyregion/new-jersey-daily-briefing-monorail-opens-with-spat.html |access-date=December 21, 2016 |issn=0362-4331}}{{Cite news |last=Tangel |first=Andrew |last2=Janos |first2=Adam |date=May 1, 2015 |title=Port Funds Plan to Replace Newark AirTrain |work=Wall Street Journal |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/port-funds-plan-to-replace-newark-airtrain-1430443422 |access-date=December 21, 2016 |issn=0099-9660}} 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. 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.{{Cite news |last=Gootman |first=Elissa |date=October 22, 2001 |title=New Train Service To Newark Airport |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2001/10/22/nyregion/metro-briefing-new-york-manhattan-new-train-service-to-newark-airport.html |access-date=February 19, 2010 |work=The New York Times}}{{Cite news |last=Sullivan |first=John |date=October 22, 2000 |title=Newark's Train to The Plane |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2000/10/22/nyregion/road-and-rail-newark-s-train-to-the-plane.html |access-date=February 23, 2011}}{{cite news | last=Johnston | first=David Cay | title=Travel Advisory; A Rail Link From New York to Newark Airport | work=The New York Times | date=November 25, 2001 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2001/11/25/travel/travel-advisory-a-rail-link-from-new-york-to-newark-airport.html | access-date=November 2, 2024}}

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.{{Cite news |date=August 3, 2012 |title=Bombardier signs $243-million monorail contract for Newark airport |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-investor/bombardier-signs-243-million-monorail-contract-for-newark-airport/article4459641/ |access-date=December 10, 2013 |publisher=The Globe and Mail}}

In September 2000, the monorail temporarily shut down after defects were detected in the system's de-icing mechanisms.{{Cite news |date=March 10, 2001 |title=Newark Airport Monorail Set to Run |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2001/03/10/nyregion/newark-airport-monorail-set-to-run.html |access-date=May 26, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}{{Cite news |last=Smothers |first=Ronald |date=March 29, 2000 |title=Monorail to Newark Airport To Close 3 Months for Repairs |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2000/03/29/nyregion/monorail-to-newark-airport-to-close-3-months-for-repairs.html |access-date=May 26, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}{{Cite news |date=February 9, 2001 |title=Tests Keep Airport's Monorail Closed |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2001/02/09/nyregion/tests-keep-airport-s-monorail-closed.html |access-date=May 26, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}} 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. 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.

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.{{Cite news |last=Strunski |first=Steve |date=April 8, 2014 |title=Newark airport monorail to close for two months for repairs starting May 1 |work=The Star-Ledger |url=http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2014/04/newark_airport_monorail_to_close_for_repairs_starting_may_1.html |access-date=April 8, 2014}}{{Cite press release |title=MEDIA ADVISORY – AIRTRAIN NEWARK SERVICE TO BE SUSPENDED FOR REPAIRS BEGINNING MAY 1, 2014 |date=March 8, 2014 |publisher=PANYNJ |url=http://www.panynj.gov/press-room/press-item.cfm?headLine_id=1956 |access-date=March 8, 2014 |archive-date=October 28, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191028125223/http://www.panynj.gov/press-room/press-item.cfm?headLine_id=1956 |url-status=dead }} Repairs were completed early, and the system resumed operations on July 3.{{Cite news |last=Associated Press |date=July 3, 2014 |title=AirTrain running again at Newark airport after 2 months of repairs |publisher=NJ.com |url=http://www.nj.com/essex/index.ssf/2014/07/airtrain_running_again_at_newark_airport.html |access-date=July 3, 2014}}

The system has a projected lifespan of 25 years. In April 2015, the PANYNJ suggested that initial work to replace the system would cost $40 million in consultant and engineering studies.{{Cite web |last=Strunksy |first=Steve |date=April 30, 2015 |title=Will the Newark airport monorail keep running while a replacement is built? |url=http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2015/04/will_the_newark_airport_monorail_keep_running_while_a_replacement_is_built.html#incart_river |access-date=June 1, 2015 |website=NJ.com}}{{Cite news |last=Strunsky |first=Steve |date=April 27, 2015 |title=Newark airport monorail targeted for scrap heap, cost $354M to build |publisher=The Star-Ledger |url=http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2015/04/newark_airport_monorail_targeted_for_scrap_heap_cost_354m_to_build.html#incart_2box_nj-homepage-featured |access-date=April 27, 2015}}{{Cite web |last=Strunsky |first=Steve |date=April 29, 2015 |title=Cost to replace Newark airport monorail could top $1B, experts say |url=http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2015/04/cost_to_replace_newark_airport_monorail_could_top_1b_experts_say.html#incart_river |access-date=June 1, 2015 |website=NJ.com}} 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.{{Cite web |date=February 12, 2021 |title=$2 Billion Plans to Replace Rapidly Aging Newark Airport Monorail Advance |url=https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/2-billion-plans-to-replace-rapidly-aging-newark-airport-monorail-advance/2887418/ |access-date=April 26, 2021 |website=NBC New York}}

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.{{Cite web |last=Reitmeyer |first=John |date=January 23, 2019 |title=Murphy Wants to Replace Newark Airport Monorail, No More 'Bubblegum' Fixes |url=https://www.njspotlight.com/stories/19/01/22/murphy-wants-to-replace-newark-airport-monorail-no-more-bubble-gum-fixes/ |access-date=February 11, 2019 |website=NJ Spotlight}} 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.{{Cite news |last=Higgs |first=Larry |date=October 24, 2019 |title=Big money fixes coming to Newark airport's monorail, PATH stations |publisher=NJ.com |url=https://www.nj.com/traffic/2019/10/big-money-fixes-coming-to-newark-airports-monorail-path-stations.html}} A draft environmental impact statement was completed in February 2021 when the proposed opening date was shifted to 2026.{{Cite web |last=Higgs |first=Larry |date=February 12, 2021 |title=New AirTrain at Newark Airport could open in 2026, replace old monorail |url=https://www.nj.com/news/2021/02/new-airtrain-at-newark-airport-could-open-in-2026-replace-old-monorail.html}} Federal environmental approval for the project was received later that year.{{Cite web |last=Lassen |first=David |date=August 18, 2021 |title=Newark AirTrain project gets federal environmental approval |url=https://www.trains.com/trn/news-reviews/news-wire/newark-airtrain-project-gets-federal-environmental-approval/ |access-date=May 26, 2024 |website=Trains |language=en-US}}

In December 2023, the Port Authority announced that Doppelmayr will manufacture the replacement system, awarding them the contract in the first phase of the project's contract procurement process.{{Cite web |last=Higgs |first=Larry |date=December 14, 2023 |title=Newark airport monorail to be replaced with modern alternative, board says |url=https://nj.com/news/2023/12/newark-airport-monorail-to-be-replaced-with-modern-alternative-board-says.html |access-date=December 15, 2023 |website=nj |language=en|postscript=none}}; {{Cite web |last=Craig |first=Tara |date=December 15, 2023 |title=Doppelmayr wins Newark monorail contract |url=https://www.airportsinternational.com/article/doppelmayr-wins-newark-monorail-contract |access-date=December 15, 2023 |website=Airports International |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Fazelpoor |first=Matthew |date=December 15, 2023 |title=Port Authority approves $9.3B budget, advances AirTrain replacement |url=https://njbiz.com/port-authority-approves-9-3b-budget-advances-airtrain-replacement/ |access-date=December 15, 2023 |website=NJBIZ |language=en-US|postscript=none}}; {{Cite web |last=Staff |first=ROI-NJ |date=December 18, 2023 |title=Modern AirTrain at Newark airport takes another step with awarding of contract |url=https://www.roi-nj.com/2023/12/18/industry/modern-airtrain-at-newark-airport-takes-another-step-with-awarding-of-contract/ |access-date=May 26, 2024 |website=ROI-NJ |language=en-US}} 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 {{Convert|2.5|mi|adj=}} in length and have four stations.{{Cite web |title=About – AirTrain EWR |url=https://www.ewrredevelopment.com/about-airtrain-ewr/ |access-date=May 26, 2024 |website=Building A New EWR |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=December 14, 2023 |title=AIRTRAIN NEWARK REPLACEMENT PROGRAM TAKES MAJOR STEP FORWARD WITH SELECTION OF FIRM FOR DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF NEW AIRTRAIN TECHNOLOGY AND VEHICLES |url=https://www.panynj.gov/content/port-authority/en/press-room/press-release-archives/2023-press-releases/-airtrain-newark-replacement-program-takes-major-step-forward-wi.html |access-date=May 26, 2024 |website=www.panynj.gov |language=en}} Tutor Perini received a $1.2 billion contract in November 2024 to construct the new system's stations and elevated tracks,{{cite web |last=Bousquin |first=Joe |date=November 15, 2024 |title=Tutor Perini/O&G JV lands $1.2B Newark AirTrain job |url=https://www.constructiondive.com/news/tutor-perini-og-jv-newark-airtrain/733130/ |access-date=December 6, 2024 |website=Construction Dive |postscript=none}}; {{cite web |date=November 28, 2024 |title=Contract let to build Newark airport peoplemover as successor to monorail |url=https://www.railwaygazette.com/peoplemovers-and-monorails/contract-let-to-build-newark-airport-peoplemover-as-successor-to-monorail/67898.article |access-date=December 6, 2024 |website=Railway Gazette International}} at which point the system's cost had increased to $3.5 billion.{{cite web |last=Munoz |first=Daniel |date=November 14, 2024 |title=Newark Liberty Airport new AirTrain cost swells to $3.5B |url=https://www.northjersey.com/story/news/transportation/2024/11/14/newark-liberty-airport-new-airtrain-cost-swells/76303723007/ |access-date=December 6, 2024 |website=Bergen Record}} Parsons Corporation was hired the next month to design the stations and guideway.{{cite web |date=December 5, 2024 |title=Parsons Selected as Lead Designer for Newark AirTrain Replacement Program |url=https://www.marketwatch.com/story/parsons-selected-as-lead-designer-for-newark-airtrain-replacement-program-dddb73cd?mod=markets |access-date=December 6, 2024 |website=MarketWatch}}

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.{{Cite web |title=Newark Liberty International Airport |url=https://www.njtransit.com/airport |access-date=March 14, 2022 |website=NJ Transit}}

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.{{Cite web |last=Lazar |first=David |date=March 5, 2023 |title=AirTrain fare increase goes into effect Sunday |url=https://www.ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/transit/2023/03/05/airtrain-fare-increase-goes-into-effect-sunday|access-date=May 10, 2023 |publisher=NY1}}{{Cite web |last=Shwe |first=Elizabeth |date=March 5, 2023 |title=AirTrain fare increases to $8.25 due to 'inflation' |url=https://gothamist.com/news/airtrain-fare-increases-to-825-due-to-inflation|access-date=May 10, 2023 |publisher=Gothamist}}

File:2015-04-09 06 27 48 Passengers boarding AirTrain Newark at the NJ Transit Newark Liberty International Airport Rail Station, New Jersey.jpg (RailLink station, Amtrak/NJ Transit trains)]]

File:Terminal C airtrain station EWR.jpg

File:New terminal A airtrain station EWR.jpgThe 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,{{Cite web |title=Airtrain EWR Replacement Program Briefing Book |url=https://www.ewrredevelopment.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Airtrain-EWR-Program-Briefing-Book-V2.pdf#page=11 |access-date=November 8, 2021 |publisher=PANYNJ |page=8}} and P2 closed in June 2021 in connection with the same project. However, the P2 station was reopened as the new Terminal A station in conjunction with the new Terminal A in January 2023. The former Terminal A station was initially used as an "employees only" stop, but after the terminal's permanent closure, the employees stop has since been moved to the closed P3 station.

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.{{Cite web |last=Calvan |first=Bobby Caina |date=June 22, 2023 |title=As a transgender woman, a New York City subway icon finds her voice |url=https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/as-a-transgender-woman-a-new-york-city-subway-icon-finds-her-voice/4445404/ |access-date=May 26, 2024 |website=NBC New York |language=en-US}}

All stations are compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.{{Cite web |title=AirTrain Newark System Map |url=https://www.newarkairport.com/static/ewr/pdf/ewr-airtrain-map.pdf |access-date=May 26, 2024 |website=www.panynj.gov |publisher=Port Authority of New York and New Jersey}}

In 2007, the average daily paid ridership was 4,930.{{Cite news |date=February 8, 2008 |title=LIRR, AirTrain, Tri-Rail Note Higher Annual or Daily Passenger Counts |work=Progressive Railroading |url=http://www.progressiverailroading.com/news/article.asp?id=15045 |access-date=September 17, 2009}}

File:Airtrain interior.jpg

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

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.

Trains travel up to {{Convert|20|mph|km/h}} along the line.

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.

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• {{official website}}
• [https://www.ewrredevelopment.com/about-airtrain-ewr/ AirTrain Newark Replacement Program]
• [http://www.panynj.gov/airports/pdf/ewr-airtrain-brochure-english.pdf PDF Brochure] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190819120919/http://www.panynj.gov/airports/pdf/ewr-airtrain-brochure-english.pdf |date=August 19, 2019 }}
• [http://www.panynj.gov/airports/pdf/Travel-Guide-AirTrainNewark.pdf PDF Travel Guide for Hotel and Travel Professionals] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171025224119/http://www.panynj.gov/airports/pdf/Travel-Guide-AirTrainNewark.pdf |date=October 25, 2017 }}

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