PANYNJ commits $40 million to plan AirTrain Newark replacement


Written by Jenifer Nunez, assistant editor
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Bombardier

The Port Authority of New York & New Jersey (PANYNJ) has committed $40 million to study construction of a new AirTrain system with enhanced capacity, better service and increased reliability.

 

PANYNJ says AirTrain Newark is an integral part of Newark Liberty International Airport’s landside transportation infrastructure, providing connectivity for passengers and airport employees traveling on-airport, as well as to and from the airport on the regional rail transportation network. AirTrain Newark opened in 1996, first by serving the terminals, parking garages and rental facilities on the airport. Expansion in 2001 with the opening of the Newark Airport Rail Link station connected the AirTrain with New Jersey Transit and Amtrak trains running along the Northeast Corridor tracks, providing travelers with easy access to major urban centers including New York and Philadelphia.

Ridership has skyrocketed on AirTrain Newark over the past two decades, totaling nearly 2.2 million passengers in 2014. Each day, approximately 25,000 riders use the system, with more than two-thirds riding on-airport and the remainder traveling from the AirLink station via connections on the Northeast Corridor.

Age and maintenance issues, however, have required more work on the system in recent years, according PANYNJ, leading to more temporary closures for maintenance and repair, as the system approaches the end of its useful design life. The original AirTrain system was developed under a long-term design-build-operate-maintain agreement with Bombardier.

“AirTrain Newark is an important resource for passengers and workers at Newark Liberty, but like much of our regional transportation infrastructure it is showing its age,” said PANYNJ Chairman John Degnan. “Today’s action will begin the process of updating the AirTrain system as part of the ongoing modernization and improvement of Newark Liberty.”

This commitment authorizes the agency to award a technical services contract for approximately $30 million to support the planning initiative. The action also authorizes preparation of a federal application to seek recovery of the $40 million planning cost through airport Passenger Facility Charges. Based on the results of the planning studies, which will include a review of funding, financing and project delivery alternatives, the full cost of the replacement project will be taken into account in upcoming reviews of PANYNJ’s 10-year Capital Plan.

 

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