As part of the overall redevelopment of Newark International Airport called EWR Vision Plan, construction to replace the current AirTrain system will begin effective as of tomorrow, Thursday, January 15, 2026 — which includes the temporary suspension of service — and is expected to last at least four years.
Construction to Replace AirTrain at Newark Airport: January 2026 Travel Alert
Ground was officially broken on Tuesday, October 7, 2025 for a new AirTrain Newark system at Newark International Airport, which launched the construction of what is expected to become a modern and reliable automated people mover system that will travel a distance of approximately 2.5 miles when it begins operation sometime in 2030. The new system will replace the existing AirTrain, which is unable to accommodate the rapid growth of the airport.
“Since 1996, AirTrain Newark has transported up to 12 million travelers each year between the airport’s three terminals, parking and rental car facilities, and the Rail Link Station, which connects to NJ Transit and Amtrak service from New York Penn Station and Newark Penn Station”, according to this official announcement from The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. “Although the system remains in operation, it is outdated, over capacity, and requires extensive maintenance. It also cannot be expanded or upgraded to newer technology to meet future demand, which is projected to grow by 50 percent by 2040. With a comprehensive airport-wide redevelopment underway, the current AirTrain no longer provides adequate service to the award-winning Terminal A, the Consolidated Rent-A-Car (ConRAC) facility, or the future design of the airport.”
According to this official press release from The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, “The new $3.5 billion AirTrain system will be better positioned to meet the needs of the redeveloped and modernized airport. The system will offer greater reliability and capacity, with the ability to handle 50,000 passengers per day, up from the current system’s 33,000-passenger capacity. Its route will allow for easier access to the new Terminal A, eliminating the current 15-minute walk between the AirTrain station and the terminal.”
The following information was copied verbatim from the official Internet web site of Newark International Airport for your convenience.
Advisory: Schedule of AirTrain Newark Replacement Construction
Effective January 15, 2026, AirTrain service to/from the Airport Train Station will be unavailable daily, Monday through Friday, from 5:00AM to 3:00PM, due to AirTrain Newark Replacement Program construction activity.
During the period above:
- Shuttle Buses will provide transportation for customers arriving via NJ Transit or Amtrak rail from the Airport Train Station to all Terminals (A, B, C), Rental Cars, and P4 Daily Parking.
- AirTrain service will continue to run between all terminals.
We appreciate your patience and understanding as we make improvements to your future AirTrain travels!
To help you plan your trip, shuttle rides usually take 15–45 minutes, but during AirTrain construction, it’s a good idea to allow up to 30-60 minutes.
Please continue reading for additional information on Shuttle Bus services, reaching your destination, and accessibility.
Shuttle Bus Service to/from Airport Train Station
Starting Thursday, January 15, 2026, shuttle buses will replace AirTrain service to and from the Airport Train Station during the times listed below:
Service Details
- Days: Monday – Friday, 5:00AM – 3:00PM
- Weekends: AirTrain operates normally on Saturday and Sunday
- Stops at ALL terminals (A, B, and C), Rental Cars, and P4 Daily Parking
- Check digital bus signs or ask an Airport Customer Experience Specialist (identifiable by red coats) for assistance
AirTrain Newark Outage Detour Information:
| From | To | Directions & Route Info |
|---|---|---|
| Airport Train Station | All Terminals (A, B, C), Rental Cars, and P4 Daily Parking | Follow AirTrain Construction Partial Outage signs for Shuttle Bus to All Terminals.
Shuttle Bus RouteStart: Airport Train Station |
| Airport Train Station | P6 Economy Parking | 1. Follow AirTrain Construction Partial Outage signs for Shuttle Bus to All Terminals 2.Transfer at any terminal: → Terminal B → Terminal C → Terminal A 3. Proceed to Level 1 (Arrivals) at preferred terminal 4. Follow signs to P6 Shuttle Bus |
| Airport Train Station | P3 Station (Hotel Shuttles) | 1. Follow AirTrain Construction Partial Outage signs for Shuttle Bus to All Terminals 2. Transfer at: → Terminal A Station for Rental Cars 3. Proceed to AirTrain 4. Ride one stop to P3 Station and proceed to lobby for Hotel Shuttles |
| Terminal A | Airport Train Station | 1. From Level 1 (Arrivals), follow signs outside to Zone 15 2. Take shuttle bus to Airport Train Station Shuttle Bus RouteStart: Terminal A, Zone 15 |
| Terminal A | Terminals B, C | 1. From Level 1 (Arrivals), follow signs outside to Zone 15 2. Take shuttle bus to P4 Daily Parking 3. Transfer to AirTrain 4. Ride AirTrain to Terminals Shuttle Bus RouteStart: Terminal A, Zone 15 |
| Terminal A | P3 Station (Hotel Shuttles) | 1. From Level 1 (Arrivals), follow signs outside to Zone 15 2. Take shuttle bus to P4 Daily Parking 3. Transfer to AirTrain 4. Ride AirTrain to P3 Station Shuttle Bus RouteStart: Terminal A, Zone 15 |
| Terminal A | P4 Daily Parking | 1. From Level 1 (Arrivals), follow signs outside to Zone 15 2. Take shuttle bus to P4 Daily Parking Shuttle Bus RouteStart: Terminal A, Zone 15 |
| Terminals B, C | Airport Train Station | 1. Follow signs to AirTrain 2. Ride AirTrain to P4 Station 3. Follow AirTrain Construction Partial Outage signs for Shuttle Bus to Airport Train Station |
| Rental Cars | Airport Train Station | 1. Follow signs to AirTrain 2. Board at Terminal A Station 3. Ride to P4 Station 4. Follow AirTrain Construction Partial Outage signs for Shuttle Bus to Airport Train Station |
| P4 Daily Parking | Airport Train Station | Follow AirTrain Construction Partial Outage signs for Shuttle Bus to Airport Train Station |
| P3 Station (Hotel Shuttles) | Airport Train Station | 1. Ride AirTrain to P4 Station 2. Follow AirTrain Construction Partial Outage signs for Shuttle Bus to Airport Train Station |
Reaching Non-Shuttle Destinations
The AirTrain will remain in service between all destinations below:
- Terminal A Station for access to Terminal A & Rental Cars*
- P3 Station
- Terminal B Station
- Terminal C Station
- P4 Daily Parking
*The existing AirTrain does not connect directly to Terminal A or Rental Cars. It is about a 15-minute covered walk to Terminal A and 5-minute walk to Rental Cars from Terminal A Station.
Access the AirTrain Newark map here.
There will be no impact to the P6 Parking shuttle bus. Follow existing posted signage to reach P6 Economy Parking.
Accessibility Services
We are committed to making travel smooth and comfortable for all passengers:
- All Shuttle Buses are ADA-compliant
- During the Shuttle Bus service in effect Monday through Friday from 5am to 3pm, airport personnel will be available to assist customers with disabilities and heavy or oversized luggage
- For immediate assistance, call 973-961-6000 or chat via WhatsApp
- Platforms at all AirTrain Stations can be accessed via elevator or stairs
If you need special assistance, please arrange support in advance with your airline or travel agent.
Off-Airport Hotel Shuttles Relocated to P3 Station
All shuttles to off-airport hotels/motels/rental cars have been relocated from P4 Station to P3 Station due to AirTrain Newark Replacement Program construction activity.
P3 Station is now accessible via AirTrain Newark.
P4 Station will remain accessible via AirTrain Newark for customers arriving and departing from the P4 Daily Parking garage. Customers that park in the P4 Daily Parking garage and need an off-airport hotel/motel/rental car shuttle should ride the AirTrain to P3 Station and proceed to the lobby.
Helpful Resources:
- More information here about AirTrain Newark. Access the AirTrain Newark map here.
- More information here about on- and off-airport hotels.
- More information here about on-airport rental cars located at Terminal A Station.
Airport Train Station Full Closure
To support work for the EWR Redevelopment AirTrain Newark Replacement Program, NJ Transit and Amtrak rail service from Newark Penn Station to Newark Liberty International Airport’s Train Station will be suspended on the following dates and times:
- 9:30PM on Saturday, January 10 to 10:00AM on Sunday, January 11
The Airport Train Station will be closed, and no NJ Transit or Amtrak trains will service EWR during this period. Service will remain between P4 Station and all terminals. More information here about AirTrain Newark or access the AirTrain Newark map here.
NJ Transit and Amtrak customers traveling to Newark Penn Station from EWR:
- Complementary shuttle bus service to Newark Penn Station will be provided from 9:30PM on Saturday, January 10 to 10:00AM on Sunday, January 11.
- Access shuttle buses at P4 Station on the valet curb, which is on the left-hand side when coming down the station escalators.
NJ Transit and Amtrak customers traveling to EWR from Newark Penn Station:
- Access shuttle buses at Raymond Plaza West (in front of Newark Penn Station). Waiting rooms will be open during this time with limited seating available.
- Buses will NOT follow train schedules and depart once loaded. Please plan additional time for travel.
- Buses will drop off at the following EWR locations:
- Terminal A (Departures)
- Terminal B (Departures – Level 2, Door 6)
- Terminal C (Departures – Level 3, Door 2)
- For Rental Cars/Terminal A Parking, get off at Terminal A (Departures) and proceed down to Level 2 (Mezzanine). Walk across the pedestrian bridge to access Rental Cars/Terminal A Parking.
Please note:
- The last NJ Transit rail train (No. 7264) via Newark Penn Station will arrive at the Airport Train Station at 9:22PM*.
- The last NJ Transit rail train (No. 7877) via Elizabeth will arrive at the Airport Train Station at 9:38PM*.
- The last Amtrak rail train (No. 165) via Newark Penn Station will arrive at the Airport Train Station at 8:22PM*.
*Please refer to www.njtransit.com or www.amtrak.com for most recent rail schedule information as times may vary.
AirTrain Full System Maintenance Shutdown
The AirTrain system will be completely shut down for required maintenance on the following dates and times:
- 8:00PM on Saturday, January 24 to 7:00AM on Sunday, January 25
Free shuttle bus service will be provided as an alternative.
Please refer to digital bus signs for route information or see an Airport Customer Experience Specialist for assistance.
See below for shuttle bus pickup and drop-off locations:
- Airport Train Station (for access to NJ Transit and Amtrak Trains) – Ground floor curbside
- Terminal A AirTrain Station (for access to Parking ‘A’ and Rental Cars) – Ground floor curbside
- Terminal A – Level 1 Arrivals, Zone 15
- Terminal B – Level 2, Door 6
- Terminal C – Level 3, Door 2
- P3 AirTrain Station (for access to Hotel Shuttles) – Ground floor curbside
- P4 AirTrain Station (for access to Parking ‘P4’) – Ground floor curbside, facing the parking garage
Please note that ALL buses stop at Terminals A, B and C.
Approximate time to destinations (assumes light traffic):
- Between Terminals: 7-10 mins
- Airport Train Station to Terminals: 20-25 mins
- Parking P4 to Terminals: 7-16 mins
AirTrain Partial Service Reduction
Due to required AirTrain maintenance, there will be no service between the P4 Station and Airport Train Station on the following dates and times:
- 11:00PM on Sunday, January 11 to 5:00AM on Monday, January 12
- 11:00PM on Sunday, January 18 to 5:00AM on Monday, January 19
Service will remain between P4 Station and Terminal A Station. The AirTrain Newark Map can be accessed here.
Free shuttle bus service will be provided as an alternative.
Please refer to digital bus signs for route information or see an Airport Customer Experience Specialist for assistance.
See below for shuttle bus pickup and drop-off locations:
- Airport Train Station (for access to NJ Transit and Amtrak Trains) – Ground floor curbside
Please note that ALL buses stop at Terminals A, B and C.
Approximate time to destinations (assumes light traffic):
- Between Terminals: 7-10 mins
- Airport Train Station to Terminals: 20-25 mins
- Parking P4 to Terminals: 7-16 mins
Final Boarding Call
I had no idea that Newark AirTrain was 30 years old. I still remember when travelers accessed Terminal C for Continental Airlines from one of the parking lots through a hole in the fence instead of taking a shuttle bus, which was longer and rather inconvenient.
Unfortunately, travelers will be required to endure four years of pain and inconvenience before they experience the new people mover system in 2030…
Photograph ©2022 by Brian Cohen.
