Vacationers heading out and in of New York Metropolis wanting to avoid wasting cash are getting a summer season shock. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey is reducing AirTrain fares to John F. Kennedy Worldwide Airport (JFK) by 50% because it tries to scale back site visitors congestion in the course of the summer season journey season.
It isn’t a everlasting value minimize, however fares will drop from $8.50 to $4.25 beginning June 30 by way of Labor Day. Whereas some vacationers view the AirTrain as an inconvenient approach to get to JFK, this discount may make folks rethink their plans, particularly when contemplating how unhealthy site visitors could possibly be this summer season.
JFK is round 15 miles from Midtown Manhattan, and site visitors to and from the airport is at all times busy. This summer season, nevertheless, brings an ideal storm of occasions that threaten to create main site visitors issues. The airport is at present within the midst of a $19 billion renovation, the most important airport redevelopment mission within the U.S. On the similar time, the Port Authority expects a record-breaking journey summer season, with greater than 18.3 million passengers anticipated to move by way of it throughout that point.
Associated: One of the best methods to get from JFK Airport to Manhattan
“As we head right into a busy summer season building interval in our $19 billion effort to construct a brand new JFK Worldwide with file traveler volumes, we’re as soon as once more asking vacationers to go away their vehicles at dwelling and take public transit to the airport,” Port Authority chairman Kevin O’Toole mentioned in a press release.
“The discounted AirTrain fare is certainly one of a large number of steps we’re taking to maneuver passengers to and from JFK as rapidly and reliably as attainable,” he mentioned.
You possibly can hook up with the AirTrain JFK by way of the Lengthy Island Railroad, the New York Metropolis Subway and thru native buses. The AirTrain connects vacationers from two main transit hubs: Howard Seashore Station and Jamaica Station.
Howard Seashore gives a direct connection from the A subway line; Jamaica Station is accessible by way of the E, J and Z strains, in addition to the LIRR from Grand Central Madison, Penn Station and Atlantic Terminal. Each AirTrain entry factors require fee by way of MetroCard or OMNY; taking the AirTrain round JFK Airport stays free.
Development at JFK is approaching its peak for roadway work, with the Port Authority anticipating greater than $200 million of building exercise every month from now till the tip of summer season. With that in thoughts, entry to the airport by automotive goes to be restricted — particularly round Terminal 7, the place the previous entry route is being demolished to make manner for metal beams that can help a brand new roadway resulting in Terminal 6.
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“We apologize for any inconvenience, however we promise {that a} new JFK is simply across the nook, with the primary new gates opening subsequent yr,” Rick Cotton, the manager director of the Port Authority, mentioned. The redevelopment of JFK Airport will embrace a brand-new Terminal 1 and Terminal 6, with Terminals 4 and eight present process large renovations and expansions.
Airport officers are encouraging vacationers to reap the benefits of the AirTrain fare reductions. For individuals who should drive to the airport, officers advocate arriving at the very least three hours earlier than your flight and pre-booking parking on the JFK airport web site. Prospects utilizing ride-hailing companies like Uber and Lyft might want to meet their drivers at distant pick-up tons.
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