AirTrain JFK ridership setS new record

AirTrain JFK ridership reached record levels in 2006 as nearly 4 million paid riders used the train to connect between JFK airport passenger terminals and mass transit systems operated by New York City Transit and the Long Island Rail Road, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (Port Authority) announced on Wednesday, January 17.
“They’re fast, reliable, and provide a great benefit to the region by easing traffic and reducing emissions on roadways at and near the airports,” said Port Authority Executive Director Anthony E. Shorris.
City Councilmember John Liu, chair of the Transportation Committee, suggested that the service could also boost the economic development of downtown Jamaica in addition to decreasing traffic on the Van Wyck.
With a record annual paid ridership in 2006 of 3,937,041 - a 15.4 percent increase over 3,411,762 paid passengers in 2005 - AirTrain JFK has now serviced more than 10 million paid customers since it opened in late 2003, according to the Port Authority, which operates the service.
“I’m hopeful that the numbers are accurate,” said City Councilmember Joseph P. Addabbo, who represents Howard Beach and Ozone Park, two communities that are adjacent to the airport. “The success of AirTrain today determines the future success of transportation down the line.”
According to the Port Authority, thirteen percent of JFK’s passengers now use AirTrain to access passenger terminals. That number also includes the daily riders who use the system for free travel between passenger terminals and to connect to parking lots and rental car areas.