Since 1996, AirTrain Newark has transported up to 12 million travelers each year between the airport’s three terminals, parking and rental car facilities, and the Rail Link Station, which connects to NJ Transit and Amtrak service from New York Penn Station and Newark Penn Station. Although the system remains in operation, it is outdated, over capacity, and requires extensive maintenance. It also cannot be expanded or upgraded to newer technology to meet future demand, which is projected to grow by 50 percent by 2040. With a comprehensive airport-wide redevelopment underway, the current AirTrain no longer provides adequate service to the award-winning Terminal A, the Consolidated Rent-A-Car (ConRAC) facility, or the future design of the airport.
A new AirTrain is essential to meet increasing passenger volumes and support Newark Liberty’s transformation into a world-class global gateway. The new $3.5 billion, 2.5-mile automated AirTrain Newark will replace the existing system with a modern, reliable, and higher-capacity people mover connecting terminals, parking, rail, and rental car facilities. Construction began in October 2025, with passenger service expected to begin in 2030. Until then, the current AirTrain will continue operating to serve the terminals, ConRAC, parking lots, and Rail Link Station.
AirTrain EWR by the Numbers
Multi-Phase Procurement Process
The new AirTrain Newark is being delivered through a multi-phase procurement process. The phases consist of:
- The building, manufacturing, delivery, and installation of the system technology
- Early works
- Guideway and stations
- A maintenance and control facility for the system equipment
- Pedestrian connections between new stations and existing airport facilities
- Demolition of the existing AirTrain
Meet the Team
The design, construction, operation, and maintenance of the new automated AirTrain system and its vehicles will be handled by Doppelmayr, a market leader in cable-propelled transport systems. Engineering firm Stantec will design the new maintenance and control facility and the pedestrian connectors and will be responsible for decommissioning the existing AirTrain. The lead contractor for the project is joint venture firm Tutor Perini/O&G. They will design and build the 2.5-mile elevated rail structure and three new stations. As the procurement process continues, the Port Authority expects to award smaller packages related to constructing the new AirTrain's maintenance and control facility, the pedestrian connectors, and the decommissioning of the current system
- Design-Build Team
- Systems, Operations, and Facility Design
