Port Authority Announces Half-Fare Reduction for AirTrain JFK During Record Summer Travel and Peak Construction
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey recently announced a 50% fare reduction for AirTrain JFK starting on June 30th, as part of their efforts to reduce traffic congestion at John F. Kennedy International Airport during what is expected to be the busiest summer travel season on record.
This fare reduction will be in effect until Labor Day and will apply to single-ride fares from the Jamaica and Howard Beach stations, lowering the cost from $8. 50 to $4. 25. The goal of this initiative is to encourage travelers to utilize public transportation instead of driving to the airport, as it is currently undergoing major construction as part of a $19 billion redevelopment plan.
Executive Director of the Port Authority, Rick Cotton, stated, “Once again, we are encouraging travelers to use public transit to reach JFK International this summer when we expect a record number of passengers to use the airport. Beginning June 30 through Labor Day, AirTrain JFK fares will be reduced by half as an incentive to use public transit for reliable airport access and to reduce traffic at the terminal frontages.
It is estimated that over 18. 3 million passengers will travel through JFK this summer, surpassing last year’s record by 300,000 travelers. This increase in traffic, combined with ongoing construction projects such as new terminals and roadways, has prompted officials to implement various strategies to mitigate congestion.
One of these strategies includes detours, roadwork, and new pickup protocols. Starting this week, access by car to Terminal 7 will be especially challenging due to the demolition of the existing roadway and the construction of new infrastructure for Terminal 6. Passengers traveling to Terminal 7 are advised to use public transportation or allow extra time if driving.
For those using ride-share apps or car services, pickups at Terminal 4 will now take place at Lot 66 between noon and 2 a. m. with shuttles departing from the arrivals level every 1-2 minutes. Terminal 5 and 7 pickups have been relocated to the Howard Beach AirTrain station lot, which can be accessed using the free on-airport AirTrain. ADA-accessible vehicles and taxis will continue to use the terminal frontages, while private vehicle drop-offs and pickups will now be redirected to the Lefferts Blvd station, with a free 8-minute AirTrain ride connecting to all terminals. Travelers who need to park are encouraged to pre-book at JFKAirport. com to ensure availability, as parking is limited.
To manage the increased congestion, the Port Authority has deployed additional traffic personnel, towing support, customer service agents, and Port Authority Police officers throughout the airport. They have also established a 24/7 operations center to monitor flight activity and road conditions in real-time, allowing for adjustments to be made to construction and traffic control efforts as needed.