Vacationers heading out and in of New York Metropolis trying 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 through the summer season journey season.
It isn’t a everlasting worth reduce, however fares will drop from $8.50 to $4.25 beginning June 30 via Labor Day. Whereas some vacationers view the AirTrain as an inconvenient approach to get to JFK, this discount would possibly make individuals rethink their plans, particularly when contemplating how dangerous 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, nonetheless, brings an ideal storm of occasions that threaten to create main site visitors issues. The airport is presently within the midst of a $19 billion renovation, the biggest airport redevelopment undertaking within the U.S. On the identical time, the Port Authority expects a record-breaking journey summer season, with greater than 18.3 million passengers anticipated to cross via it throughout that point.
Associated: The perfect 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 document traveler volumes, we’re as soon as once more asking vacationers to go away their vehicles at house and take public transit to the airport,” Port Authority chairman Kevin O’Toole mentioned in a press release.
“The discounted AirTrain fare is one among a mess of steps we’re taking to maneuver passengers to and from JFK as rapidly and reliably as attainable,” he mentioned.
You’ll be able to connect 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 presents a direct connection from the A subway line; Jamaica Station is accessible by way of the E, J and Z traces, in addition to the LIRR from Grand Central Madison, Penn Station and Atlantic Terminal. Each AirTrain entry factors require cost by way of MetroCard or OMNY; taking the AirTrain round JFK Airport stays free.
Building 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 top of summer season. With that in thoughts, entry to the airport by automotive goes to be restricted — particularly round Terminal 7, the place the outdated entry route is being demolished to make manner for metal beams that can assist 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 chief 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 benefit from the AirTrain fare reductions. For many who should drive to the airport, officers suggest arriving at the least three hours earlier than your flight and pre-booking parking on the JFK airport web site. Clients utilizing ride-hailing companies like Uber and Lyft might want to meet their drivers at distant pick-up tons.
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