JFK AirTrain (Ad Meskens/ Wikimedia Commons)
Nov. 3, 2019 By Allie Griffin
The fare for the JFK AirTrain has been hiked for the first time in its history with single ride tickets now costing $7.75.
The AirTrain, which first opened to riders in December 2003, had been $5 since its inception until the price was raised Nov. 1.
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which runs the JFK AirTrain, proposed increasing the fare in June to raise revenue for the Port Authority’s $37 billion, 10-year capital plan. The authority’s Board of Commissioners approved the 55 percent increase at the end of September.
⚠ Effective November 1, 2019: AirTrain base fare is $7.75 per ride.
There’s no increase to 10-trip and 30-day unlimited AirTrain #JFK MetroCards. The new fare also doesn’t affect customers using 10-trip and 30-day trip cards purchased before November 1. https://t.co/ekpvikXvke pic.twitter.com/m2iYP9jmwA
— Kennedy Airport (@JFKairport) November 1, 2019
While the price of single rides will cost riders more, there is no increase for the 10-trip ticket which remains at $25 and is valid for 30 days following its first use. The 30-day Unlimited Airtrain JFK MetroCard also remains at $40.
The JFK AirTrain has two routes. One goes express from Jamaica to JFK, while the other goes directly from Howard Beach to JFK.
AirTrain tickets are available from MetroCard vending machines at the Jamaica and Howard Beach AirTrain stations.
In 2018, 8,221,145 passengers paid to use the AirTrain to JFK, according to Port Authority data. It is not known what impact the price hike will have on ridership.
Despite the price increase, the AirTrain remains the cheapest option for getting to JFK from either station.
On Nov. 1, an Uber would have cost around $19 from the Jamaica AirTrain station to JFK Airport, while a Lyft would cost around $17.
Likewise, a trip from the Howard Beach AirTrain station would cost around $16 via Uber and around $18 via Lyft. However, the prices for each differ day-to-day depending on the traffic and demand at the time.
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3 Comments
If the FAA allows the gives the Port Authority permission to build the airtrain to LaGuardia I imagine the fare will also be $7.75 because that’s the fare at Newark airport too. I imagine this fare will encourage many people to stick with a taxi ride or ride share service because getting to LGA is even cheaper and quicker by car than getting to JFK from most areas of Manhattan and tourist heavy areas of Brooklyn. Plus the Port Authority thinks most people will opt to take an even more costly LIRR ride to Willets Point before boarding the expensive airtrain. It won’t be worth it for most people traveling in a group.
Lower the minimum wage and remove AOC from office
You don’t have to think about her ALL the time