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AirTrain (JFK))
AirTrain JFK is a 13 km (8.1 mile) (largely elevated) light rail system connecting the terminals and parking areas at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Jamaica on the Long Island Railroad and the New York City Subway, as well as to Howard Beach on the Subway. It is operated by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which also operates the airport and AirTrain Newark.
History
Early plans took the line not only to JFK but north from Jamaica to La Guardia Airport, linking to the IRT Flushing Line. Construction began in 1998 for completion in 2002, but was delayed by the derailment of a test train in September 2002, killing operator Kelvin DeBorgh. The system finally opened after over a year's delay on December 17, 2003.
AirTrain JFK uses the same advanced light rapid transit technology from Bombardier as the rapid transit systems of SkyTrain in Vancouver, Canada and Putra LRT in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It draws power from a third rail and a linear induction motor pushes magnetically against an aluminum strip in the center of the track. This power systems was based on the Intermediate Capacity Transportation System or ICTS developed by the Urban Transportation Development Corporation or UTDC (now owned by Bombardier) for the Scarborough RT (TTC).
An extension has been proposed to lower Manhattan using the Atlantic Avenue Branch to downtown Brooklyn, and then one of three possibilities to Manhattan: the BMT Joralemon Street Tunnel , the IND Cranberry Street Tunnel , or a new tunnel. This would provide faster service to the airport via a one-seat ride, as well as LIRR service to lower Manhattan via a transfer at Jamaica. Baggage could be checked in Manhattan and transferred directly to planes. Hybrid vehicles that can run on the AirTrain, Subway and LIRR tracks would be required.
Routes and stations
The system consists of three overlapping routes:
- Howard Beach route
- Jamaica Station route
- Airline Terminal route
The Howard Beach route starts at Howard Beach (adjacent to ) and stops at Lefferts Blvd, while the Jamaica Station route starts at Jamaica Station (adjacent to Jamaica on the LIRR, Sutphin Boulevard-JFK Airport on the (IND Archer Avenue Line ) and Sutphin Boulevard-JFK Airport on the (BMT Archer Avenue Line )). Both routes meet at Federal Circle, then loop counterclockwise around JFK Airport, serving six stations:
- Terminal 1 (the first station in the loop)
- Terminals 2/3
- Terminal 4
- Terminals 5/6
- Terminal 7
- Terminals 8/9
The Howard Beach and Jamaica Station routes then return to Federal Circle and split, going back to their respective terminals. The Airline Terminal route serves the six terminal stations, operating in a clockwise loop, in the opposite direction to the Howard Beach and Jamaica Station routes. The Airline Terminal route uses the inside track of the double-tracked loop.
Using AirTrain
AirTrain is free within JFK Airport, but one must pay a fee ($5 per person as of 2005) when entering or leaving AirTrain at the Jamaica and Howard Beach stations. The fare must be paid by MetroCard, which can be purchased with cash, a credit card or an ATM card. There are vending machines at both stations where one can pay for the AirTrain and also pay subway and LIRR fares.
Generally speaking, people traveling between JFK and lower Manhattan should use the Howard Beach Station and take the subway. Travelers to east midtown Manhattan should use Jamaica Station and the subway. Travelers to west midtown Manhattan or making Amtrak or New Jersey Transit connections should use Jamaica Station and take the LIRR to Penn Station. Travelers to Long Island or Brooklyn can make LIRR connections at Jamaica Station; subway trains from both terminals also serve Brooklyn. Dozens of local bus lines serving Queens and Brooklyn stop at or near Jamaica Station as well.
Eating, drinking, smoking, and radio playing are all prohibited on the AirTrain.
Accessibility
AirTrain JFK is wheelchair accessible, as are the Subway and LIRR stations it connects with. See New York City Subway accessibility and Long Island Rail Road accessibility for connection information.
See also
External links
References
- M.T.A. Proposes Rail Line to Link Major Airports, New York Times March 18, 1990 page 28