Newark Airport: Airtran Train To Shut Down For Three Days

If you’re planning on taking the Airtran Train at Newark International Airport this week, you might want to leave the house early.

From 12:01 a.m. on Tuesday, July 21 to 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, July 23, AirTrain Newark service will be suspended system-wide to allow for testing of new automatic train control software.

Newark Liberty International Airport’s Rail Link Station will remain open for Amtrak and NJ Transit service, with shuttle buses running to the airport’s terminals, parking lots and rental car facilities, according to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.

According to a release, “testing of the new automatic train control software must run continuously over three days without any passengers aboard to ensure its reliability.”

At the conclusion of testing, AirTrain Newark service will be restored and continue to operate on the existing software, while any outstanding issues with the new software are addressed and tested through modeling and simulation.

Transition to the new software will require another overnight closure later in the year to permanently replace AirTrain’s existing software, Port Authority officials added.

The AirTrain was originally designed in 1996 with a 25-year lifespan, and the new software is designed to meet the existing system’s needs until it is replaced. Earlier this year, the Port Authority’s Board of Commissioners approved $40 million for the planning work for a new AirTrain system.

• See related article: Port Authority Pledges $40 Million for Newark AirTrain Renovation

According to a release, during the three-day closure, all buses will display appropriate route information. Additional airport Customer Care Representatives and other Port Authority staff will be on duty to provide enhanced information for passengers during the station closure.

This service disruption will not impact NJ Transit or Amtrak service; passengers will continue to transfer at the Rail Link Station for these regional rail transit services.

Travelers are urged to allow extra time to get to and from the airport during this three- day service suspension.

For further updates on AirTrain Newark and other Port Authority airport travel advisories, check http://www.paalerts.com/recent_airportalerts.aspx or call 888-EWR-INFO (397-4636).