The Straphanger’s Campaign has written to the Port Authority voicing similar concerns to those raised here (MTR #430) over the planned $5 fare for the JFK AirTrain. The letter states that the current fare structure — $2 on the subway to Howard Beach and a free shuttle bus ride to the airport — has attracted "millions of low budget travelers and tourists...from other, more polluting and congesting modes of transport." The free shuttle bus service will be discontinued when AirTrain opens, and subway riders who get off at Howard Beach will have no choice but to pay $5 to get to airport terminals.

The Straphangers Campaign also questions how the AirTrain operating budget is related to the $5 fare and asks what the current Howard Beach bus service costs. The letter also points out that other cities, such as Chicago, Boston, and Cleveland, have cheaper airport transit options.

In response to our recent article on AirTrain fares, the Port Authority contacted the Campaign to say that the $5 fare on the JFK service should not be categorized as "high," especially compared to options to such as cabs and express buses, which cost about $35 and $12, respectively. We argue that a $5 fare is high relative to city transit fares, especially since it pays for only part of the airport trip. It should be made more competitive with other options, such as parking at the airport.

Newark’s AirTrain ridership counts may provide the Port Authority with some insight into how to make it more competitive, or even reduce the fare. Ridership on Newark’s AirTrain is currently about 30,000 a day. About 3,500 riders come to the airport via the rail link on NJ Transit or Amtrak. The remaining riders either drive to the AirTrain and ride for free, or are employees or others traveling from one airport location to another. In other words, the great majority of Newark’s AirTrain riders drive to the airport, pay for parking, and ride the AirTrain for free.

The agency has a similar fare structure planned for JFK — those who drive to the airport will pay for parking (about $10 at JFK’s long term parking) and ride the monorail for free. The Port Authority could reduce the fare and increase ridership on AirTrain by increasing parking rates or by making those who drive pay separately for AirTrain.

For example, under the Port Authority proposed JFK fare structure, two people traveling to JFK from Midtown would pay $5 each if they drive, $18 each if they take a cab, $12 each in an express bus, $11 each if they take LIRR and AirTrain, or $7 each if they take the subway to AirTrain. An increase in parking fees or eliminating the park and ride for free option could make AirTrain more competitive.

MTA’s proposed City Ticket — which would offer the discounted rate of $2.50 for travel within the city’s limits on LIRR and Metro-North commuter rail lines — could ease the Airtrain fare burden somewhat, though not for those using connecting subways. According to MTA press office, a City Ticket pilot program will likely begin in January 2004 (just 2 months after the JFK AirTrain is scheduled to open) continuing for a six month trial. Then the MTA will decide whether or not to continue the program. The option would reduce the fare price from Penn Station NY to JFK significantly, from $10-$12 to $7.50. 

JFK Airtrain Coming this Fall, With High Fares, September 22, 2003

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