With mid-terms coming to an end and fall break just around the corner, many University students will soon be en route to Newark International Airport. In addition to the traditional options of Airporter, car and taxi, they now have a new way to get there.
On Oct. 21, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey began operation of a new train service, which includes an extension of the already existing AirTrain Newark.
AirTrain Newark originally consisted of a 1.9-mile monorail system completed in 1996. The monorail operated solely within Newark Airport itself, providing transport between Newark's three passenger terminals and also from the terminals to parking areas.
A one-mile extension was later added to the existing monorail system, facilitating a more efficient flow of traffic within the airport.
The recent addition to AirTrain Newark extends the system beyond the airport itself. The $415 million project, paid for by the Port Authority and a fee taken from Newark airfares, created Newark International Station. This state-of-the-art, climate-controlled station is linked directly to the existing airport monorail system.
N.J. Transit and Amtrak lines run right into the new station, allowing passengers to disembark from N.J. Transit and Amtrak trains at Newark International Station and then board a monorail to airport passenger terminals. Monorails run every three minutes.
Newark International Station is fully compliant with disability laws and also provides up-to-date flight schedules. In addition, passengers are able to take advantage of electronic ticketing services provided at the station.
A considerable number of trains enter Newark International Station on a daily basis. A total of 160 trains, both from N.J. Transit and Amtrak lines, arrive at Newark International Station each weekday, along with 120 trains on Saturdays and 122 on Sundays.
Greg Trevor of the Port Authority noted that the new service provides a "quick, convenient, reliable and environmentally friendly way of getting to the airport." He added that since the first train pulled into the station on Sunday morning, several minutes ahead of schedule, travelers have been "very enthusiastic" about the AirTrain Newark expansion.
Trevor predicted that college students will be one of the groups to take advantage of AirTrain Newark's new service, observing that "a noticeable number of college students" have been arriving at Newark International Station since Sunday.
He pointed out that the towns and cities along the N.J. Transit Northeast Corridor line, such as Trenton, Princeton Junction, New Brunswick and Hoboken, are all located in or near college towns. With the new service, University students will now be able to go directly from the Dinky to Princeton Junction to Newark International Station. The one-way cost of the trip is $11.40.
The AirTrain service provides college students with a way to get to the airport "without having to worry about getting to the terminal and without ever having to set foot in a car," Trevor said.
University students seem to agree. "It sounds like a good alternative to the Airporter," noted Kristin Hall '04. "It will be less of a hassle to get to the airport."
Hannah Haviland '04 said assuming that AirTrain Newark offers an adequate frequency of runs, she will "definitely take the train." Haviland added that, "Often people have early flights, and there's no way to get an Airporter in time, whereas if you took the train you would avoid the traffic."
In addition to the college student market, Trevor said he expects that the new train services will prompt an overall increase in passengers flying out of Newark International Airport. He said that passengers from as far away as Wilmington, Del., or Harrisburg, Penn., will likely start flying out of Newark because of the increased convenience offered by AirTrain Newark.
A representative of the Airporter said that he does not feel that the new AirTrain Newark service will draw college students away from the Airporter.
"I wouldn't think it will have too great an effect," he said in an interview. "Competitive rates are certainly part of the attraction of the Airporter.
"In addition, with our luggage handling and our frequency of service, we believe that the Airporter offers a more inviting option for travel to Newark International," he said.
A one-way trip to Newark International Airport on the Airporter currently costs $21 for a Princeton student. During break times, a discounted rate of $19 is offered.
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