The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey today announced it has selected three automated-people-mover (APM) system technology firms to advance to the next phase of a multi-phase procurement process to replace the existing AirTrain Newark system at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) with a new 2.5-mile automated train system.

The three shortlisted firms are:

• Alstom Transport USA Inc.
• DCCCA1 Inc. (Doppelmayr)
• Mitsubishi Heavy Industries America Inc.

The shortlisted firms were selected as a result of a publicly advertised Request for Qualifications (RFQ) that was published on Dec. 8, 2022. For additional details about the RFQ, click here.

As part of the Port Authority’s ongoing commitment to modernizing Newark Liberty International Airport, AirTrain Newark will be replaced through a multi-phase procurement process including the design and construction of the new AirTrain’s APM system technology, and the operations and maintenance of the components necessary for a new fully functional, world-class AirTrain. Also included in this first phase are the procurement processes for the furnishing, delivery, installation, testing and commissioning of the system technology.

Additional procurement phases in the AirTrain Newark Replacement program may include, but are not limited to, the following separate contract packages:

• Early works packages
• Design package
• 2.5-mile elevated guideway structure and three stations including back-of-house areas
• Maintenance and control facility for the system technology equipment
• Pedestrian connections from stations to existing airport facilities

For the APM system technology opportunity, the Port Authority will be conducting a virtual Minority/Woman Owned Business Enterprise (M/WBE), Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Business (SDVOB), and Local Business Enterprise (LBE) Industry Outreach Forum for the AirTrain Newark Replacement program – system technology project on Thursday, March 30, 2023. Interested attendees can register here.

“The Port Authority’s airports are the gateways to the world and play a significant role in the region’s economy,” said Port Authority Chairman Kevin O’Toole.  “As air travel demands continue to grow, this agency is committed to making necessary investments, including spending billions of dollars to modernize our airports and their transportation assets like the AirTrain.”

“The AirTrain is a critical part of Newark Liberty’s operations, and the existing system is nearing the end of its useful life,” said Port Authority Executive Director Rick Cotton.  “It is imperative to build a new 21^st century AirTrain to serve the new world-class terminals that we are building at Newark Liberty.”

Debuted in 1996, the existing AirTrain Newark system has become outmoded and unreliable. The current system carries an average of 26,000 passengers per day or nearly 10 million passengers per year. It provides access to the co-located Newark International Airport station on NJ Transit and Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor lines and provides customers and employees with the ability to transfer among airport terminals, parking lots and rental car facilities. The Federal Aviation Administration granted final environmental approval for a replacement of AirTrain Newark on Aug. 13, 2021.

About Newark Liberty International Airport Redevelopment:

The Port Authority has embarked on a complete redevelopment of Newark Liberty International that began with the recently completed $2.7 billion Terminal A – the centerpiece of an airport-wide renaissance designed to establish the airport as a world-class gateway for the New Jersey and New York region. The next phase of this transformation will be developed through the work of a recently selected world-class airport master planner.

The agency’s EWR Vision Plan — which serves as a framework for future development through 2065 – will provide for long-term economic growth, incorporate sustainability projects in every element of the development plan and provide multimodal access to the airport for both work and travel.

Most recently, the Port Authority Board of Commissioners authorized $12 million for the planning and preliminary design of the EWR Station Access Project, which is expected to increase public transit access to Newark Liberty International Airport and New York City for the underserved communities in Newark and Elizabeth, including a one-seat ride to New York Penn Station’s Moynihan Train Hall and on Amtrak and NJ TRANSIT’s (NJT) direct Northeast Corridor services. The authorization is for planning and preliminary design work for a new multimodal facility at the AirTrain Newark Rail Link station serving EWR. The project will leverage existing transportation assets, including Amtrak, NJT and AirTrain Newark rail service, in a cost-effective way to improve access, mobility and regional connectivity for the neighboring airport communities of Newark and Elizabeth.

Visit www.anewEWR.com for information regarding the new AirTrain Newark Replacement program and other EWR redevelopment projects.