Port Authority Pledges $40 Million for Newark AirTrain Renovation

The push to conduct a complete renovation of the aging AirTrain monorail in Newark took another step forward on Thursday, when the Port Authority Board of Commissioners announced a $40 million commitment to “begin the planning process” for the project.

The agency plans to seek recovery of the $40 million through airport passenger facility charges, according to a release.

A complete renovation of the monorail system – which services Newark Airport travelers and connects with NJ Transit and Amtrak trains – could cost over a billion dollars, according to a NJ.com report.

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

However, the system is reaching “the end of its useful design life,” leading to more temporary closures for maintenance and repair.

“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,” stated Port Authority Chairman John Degnan.

The $40 million authorization will directly create 90 jobs, with direct payroll wages of $8.3 million, estimated Port Authority officials.

Overall, “taking direct and indirect jobs into consideration,” the award is projected to create $60.6 million in economic activity over the life of the planning process.

Photo caption: The Newark AirTrain is “showing its age,” according to Port Authority officials, who recently pledged $40 million to start the planning process for a possible renovation of the entire system.