Newark airport’s monorail system is getting an upgrade

Newark Liberty International Airport's out-of-date monorail system will finally be replaced, according to an announcement from the Port Authority this week.

Port Authority officials said that the Austria-based high-performance train company Doppelmayr was awarded a nearly $1 billion contract to replace the 27-year-old AirTrain with a modern cable car system being used at airports and cities around the globe.

The contract includes $570 million for design and construction, as well as an estimated $385 million to operate and maintain the new system for 20 years, the Port Authority said.

The new AirTrain is expected to open in 2029.

In the announcement, Doppelmayr President Markus Schrentewein noted that the company “has a large number of similar projects to its name in the U.S.”

The company has built modern cable-propelled trains for Oakland International Airport in California and Last Vegas' Aria Express shuttle. It also constructed transport systems at airports in Mexico City, London and Toronto.

Newark Liberty's monorail carries thousands of travelers from the airport to parking lots, subways and other transportation areas daily.

But the current system was built in 1996, and its lifespan lapsed in 2021. The Port Authority said the current setup cannot adequately meet the demand on the system, which transports more than 12 million passengers per year.

“By advancing the replacement of AirTrain Newark, we further build upon Newark Liberty’s transformation into the modern, world-class airport our region deserves,” said New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy in a statement.

Earlier this year, the airport debuted its new Terminal A, a fresh 33-gate hub that featured new dining options and shops, and a Delta Sky Lounge. It replaced the old Terminal A, which had been operating since 1973.

As part of the contract, the Port Authority said Doppelmayr must make good-faith efforts to hire and partner with local and minority and women-owned businesses in the new AirTrain's construction and operation. Murphy called this a “win-win.”

“While the revamped AirTrain will improve efficiency and connectivity at Newark Liberty, the project will also promote workforce development opportunities and good-paying local jobs,” he said.

Recently, travelers riding the AirTrain at Newark and at other local airports have faced price hikes. AirTrain fares have gone up by a quarter twice in the past two years because of inflation, according to the Port Authority. Rides currently cost $8.25 at both Newark and JFK.