The monorail opened in 1996 and initially served only as an airport circulator, a service which allows passengers to transfer between airport terminals or concourses. The monorail track was refurbished and extended to the NEC, with construction beginning in 1997. The system reopened for service on October 21, 2000. When first opened in 1996 a fleet of 12 six-car Bombardier trains ran on the network. It has expanded to 18 six-car trains. The contract to build the system was awarded to Von Roll AG, but the project was finished by Adtranz, who acquired Von Roll's monorail division while the system was being built. Adtranz was later acquired by Bombardier Transportation, who continues to operate the AirTrain under contract to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, the operator of the airport. AirTrain service was suspended from May 1, 2014, for 75 days, until mid-July, to allow repairs. Repairs were completed early, and the service re-opened on July 3.
Replacement
The system has a projected lifespan of 25 years. In April 2015, the PANYNJ suggested that initial work to replace the system would cost $40 million in consultant and engineering studies. In January 2019, New Jersey GovernorPhil Murphy announced a plan for a $2 billion replacement project for the Newark AirTrain. Murphy has stated that replacement is necessary because the system is reaching the end of its projected 25-year life and is subject to persistent delays and breakdowns. The Port Authority would be responsible for funding the project. In October 2019, the Port Authority board approved the replacement project with an estimated cost of $2.05 billion. Construction is expected to start in 2021 and be completed in 2024.
Fare
The train is free, except to and from the Amtrak/New Jersey Transit station. In that case, the fare is included in the price of the train ticket. New Jersey Transit and Amtrak monthly pass holders must pay an extra $7.75 to ride AirTrain, unless they set EWR as the origin or destination stop for their pass. In June 2019, the Port Authority proposed raising AirTrain Newark's fare from $5 to $7.75, which was approved that September. The fare increase took effect that year on November 1, representing the first fare raise in sixteen years.
Stations
The AirTrain has three major stations within the airport, one for each main terminal. These stations sit on top of the terminal buildings. There are three other stations for the parking lots and rental car facilities plus a seventh at the Northeast Corridor. Automated announcements recorded by traffic reporter Bernie Wagenblast tell riders which airlines can be found in each terminal, as well as connections at other stations. In 2007, the average daily paid ridership was 4,930. The stations are:
