Service Outage Coming For AirTrain At Newark Airport: See Who Is Impacted

NEWARK, NJ — Some commuters flying through Newark Airport who plan to use the AirTrain may find themselves taking shuttle buses instead, starting this week, officials say.

On Tuesday, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey released details about a new construction phase for the agency’s $3.5 billion AirTrain renovation, which is expected to cross the finish line in 2030.

The new system will replace the existing AirTrain, which opened in 1996 and isn’t able to keep up with Newark Airport’s “rapid growth,” officials say. The current system will largely remain in operation until the new system opens – but some outages will take place as construction progresses.

One of those outrages will begin Thursday as work begins on the guideway and track structure between the Newark Liberty International Airport Train Station and the P4 station.

This phase of construction will require ongoing weekday service outages between the P4 station and the Airport Train Station, which links to services for NJ Transit and Amtrak. The AirTrain will operate normally on weekends, the Port Authority said.

A “robust shuttle bus system” will be running that serves all airport terminals, rental car facilities and parking locations for impacted travelers, spokespeople said.

AirTrain Newark will continue operating between the P4, Terminal C, Terminal B, P3, and Terminal A stations.

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Here’s what airport travelers should know, the Port Authority said:

SHUTTLE BUSES – “Beginning Thursday, Jan. 15, AirTrain Newark service to and from the Airport Train Station will be replaced by shuttle buses on weekdays from 5 a.m. to 3 p.m. due to construction activity. Bus shuttles will run every four to five minutes. Passengers should allow up to 15 minutes of additional travel time during the AirTrain outages … For passengers arriving at the Airport Train Station via NJ Transit or Amtrak, shuttle buses will provide transportation to all terminals, rental car pickup, and P4 daily parking. Passengers should follow signage and the direction of airport customer experience specialists wearing red coats.”

DEPARTURES VIA TRAIN – “For passengers departing on NJ Transit or Amtrak from the Airport Train Station, passengers coming from terminals B or C should board the AirTrain from their airport terminal to the P4 station and utilize shuttle buses to the Airport Train Station. Passengers coming from Terminal A can utilize shuttle buses to the Airport Train Station.”

WEEKENDS AND HOLIDAYS – “AirTrain Newark will operate normally on weekends. All outages will pause during the peak travel season between Memorial Day and Labor Day, resuming in September 2026. Outages will pause again during the holiday travel season between Oct. 30, 2026, and Jan. 15, 2027. Additional AirTrain outages are planned in 2027 and 2028 as work progresses, with details of those impacts shared at a future date.”

PASSENGERS WITH DISABILITIES – “All shuttle buses are ADA-compliant. During outage periods, airport staff will be available to assist travelers with disabilities and those carrying heavy or oversized luggage. For immediate assistance, passengers may call 973-961-6000 or use WhatsApp chat support. Elevators and stairs provide access to all AirTrain station platforms. Passengers needing special assistance are encouraged to coordinate in advance with their airline or travel agent.”

“This project is about building a system that can keep pace with Newark Liberty’s growth for decades to come,” Port Authority executive director Rick Cotton said.

“We appreciate passengers’ patience during these temporary changes, enabling us to advance construction of a modern, high-capacity AirTrain that will deliver a smoother, more dependable experience for millions of passengers each year,” Cotton said.

• See Related: Taking Transit To EWR Terminal A? There’s Something You Should Know
• See Related: Take A Sneak Peek At Newark Airport's $3.5B New AirTrain (PHOTOS)

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