AirTrain JFK

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Image:AirTrain JFK logo.png
Image:JFK AirTrain.agr.jpg

AirTrain JFK is a 13 km (8.1 mile) (largely elevated) rapid transit system in Queens, New York City, connecting the terminals and parking areas at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), Jamaica, and Howard Beach. It is operated by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which also operates the airport and AirTrain Newark.

Contents

Routes and stations

Image:AirTrain JFK map.png

The system consists of three overlapping routes:

  • Howard Beach route
  • Jamaica Station route
  • Airline Terminal route

The Howard Beach route starts at the station for Howard Beach-JFK Airport on the A (IND Rockaway Line) and then stops at Lefferts Blvd. The Jamaica route starts at the Jamaica Station on the Long Island Rail Road, next to the stops for Sutphin Boulevard-JFK Airport on the E (IND Archer Avenue Line) and Sutphin Boulevard-JFK Airport on the J Z (1a) (BMT Archer Avenue Line).

Both routes then meet, stopping at Federal Circle and the following stations in a counterclockwise loop before returning to Federal Circle and their respective terminals:

  • Terminal 1
  • Terminals 2/3
  • Terminal 4
  • Terminals 5/6
  • Terminal 7
  • Terminals 8/9

The Airline Terminal route serves the six terminal stations, but operates in the opposite direction, making a clockwise loop. 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 -- significantly more than the $2 NYC subway fare) 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. A $40 monthly unlimited is also available for those who work at the airport.

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.

All station stops are announced via recorded messages. The announcements were recorded by former New York City traffic reporter, Bernie Wagenblast.

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.

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 on September 27, 2002, killing 23-year-old operator Kelvin DeBorgh, Jr. The system finally opened after over a year's delay on December 17, 2003.

AirTrain JFK uses the same Advanced Rapid Transit (formerly Intermediate Capacity Transit System) technology from Bombardier as the SkyTrain in Vancouver, Canada and the 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.

An extension has been proposed to Lower Manhattan using the LIRR 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.

See also

External links

References

  • M.T.A. Proposes Rail Line to Link Major Airports, New York Times March 18, 1990 page 28
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