Meanwhile, the NY Times says Port Authority has begun negotiating with NY Waterway to examine ferry transport to JFK and LaGuardia airports. While the Delta Water Shuttle already ferries passengers from lower Manhattan to LaGuardia's Marine Air Terminal, Port Authority officials desire increased and less costly service, more East Side stops, and service to LaGuardia's main terminal and JFK. It is unclear whether the Authority has formally adopted the airport ferry idea as successor to the 22-mile railway plan for airport access. Queens Borough President Claire Shulman says the rail line is essential, but unrealistic costs ($4 - $7 billion) prompted Authority Director George Marlin to scrap that plan in May. Earlier this month Marlin canceled a meeting to discuss successor plans with the NYC City Council, saying the Authority had made no decision yet. Although an airport ferry service could require new docks, piers and terminals, its cost would be a fraction of the proposed railway.

According to the Star Ledger, officials expect Newark Airport's new monorail will be completed this month. However, it will undergo extensive testing this winter before opening in the spring. Though slated for completion last December, contractor changes and design complications slowed the project. Port Authority officials say now they expect few obstacles to the project's completion. The 1.9-mile elevated monorail will replace airport buses to move passengers between terminals and parking areas. Off-airport rental-car companies will be required to drop passengers at a monorail station. The monorail plan allowed the Port Authority to jettison $400 million plans for additional airport roadways and multi-decked parking garages.

Meanwhile, the NY Times says Port Authority has begun negotiating with NY Waterway to examine ferry transport to JFK and LaGuardia airports. While the Delta Water Shuttle already ferries passengers from lower Manhattan to LaGuardia's Marine Air Terminal, Port Authority officials desire increased and less costly service, more East Side stops, and service to LaGuardia's main terminal and JFK. It is unclear whether the Authority has formally adopted the airport ferry idea as successor to the 22-mile railway plan for airport access. Queens Borough President Claire Shulman says the rail line is essential, but unrealistic costs ($4 - $7 billion) prompted Authority Director George Marlin to scrap that plan in May. Earlier this month Marlin canceled a meeting to discuss successor plans with the NYC City Council, saying the Authority had made no decision yet. Although an airport ferry service could require new docks, piers and terminals, its cost would be a fraction of the proposed railway.