AirTrain JFK celebrated its sixth year in operation on Thursday, December 17 with record ridership that has doubled since its debut in 2004.
The AirTrain JFK connects travelers by rail to and from John F. Kennedy International Airport, and it bills itself as the quickest and cheapest way to get to and from the airport.
When the AirTrain’s automatic doors rolled open in 2004, more than 2.6 million people took advantage of their service, now in 2009, more than 5.3 million people have used JFK’s transportation; this shows that they have had a 100 percent increase.
To mark its 60th year of operation, the Port Authority of NY & NJ has introduced new amenities at AirTrain JFK facilities including interactive signs and a new Welcome Center at the Jamaica Station.
“Fast, cheap, reliable,” said Port Authority Director Chris Ward regarding the AirTrain. “There is no better way to get to JFK, and we are pleased that ridership continues to boom. We also hope the new improvements we have made will keep those numbers climbing and continue to improve the customer’s experience.”
The Port Authority also announced the “Top 6” reasons why New Yorkers and visitors to the region alike have made AirTrain JFK such a success:
1. Beat the clock: AirTrain is the fastest way to get to the airport and can make the trip as short as 35 minutes. It connects to New York City though both mass transit via stations in Jamaica and Howard Beach and the Long Island Rail Road.
2. Inexpensive: Using AirTrain and the New York City Transit subway, passengers can get to and from the airport for $7.25 compared to a minimum of $45 by taxi from Manhattan. Tickets to get on-board are affordable readily accessible.
3. Convenient: AirTrain JFK allows you to leave from Penn Station New York and go directly to your airport terminal. By connecting to the “A” and “E” NYC subway lines, passengers have direct access to both midtown and lower Manhattan.
4. A Greener Ride: It is sustainable as it both minimizes car congestion and provides friendly mass transportation options that cut down on emissions.
5. Relax with room: The cars make travel less complicated and provide more room for all of your luggage.
6. Everyone is doing it!: Ridership on AirTrain JFK has increased by over 100 percent over the course of the past six years and now more than 5 million travelers per year use it’s services.
“The AirTrain JFK has had a very interesting history, and it is good to see that six years later it still continues to grow,” said State Senator Joseph Addabo. “I believe that the service will expand – with the trouble that the MTA is having, people will look for an alternative getting from our area to the Jamaica area and maybe more and more residents will look to the AirTrain as a more viable alternative.”
