Vacationers heading out and in of New York Metropolis wanting to avoid wasting cash are getting a summer time 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 time journey season.
It is not a everlasting worth lower, however fares will drop from $8.50 to $4.25 beginning June 30 by Labor Day. Whereas some vacationers view the AirTrain as an inconvenient solution to get to JFK, this discount may make individuals rethink their plans, particularly when contemplating how unhealthy site visitors could possibly be this summer time.
JFK is round 15 miles from Midtown Manhattan, and site visitors to and from the airport is at all times busy. This summer time, nevertheless, brings an ideal storm of occasions that threaten to create main site visitors issues. The airport is at the moment within the midst of a $19 billion renovation, the biggest airport redevelopment venture within the U.S. On the identical time, the Port Authority expects a record-breaking journey summer time, with greater than 18.3 million passengers anticipated to move by it throughout that point.
Associated: The best ways to get from JFK Airport to Manhattan
“As we head right into a busy summer time development 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 depart their vehicles at house and take public transit to the airport,” Port Authority chairman Kevin O’Toole stated in a statement.
“The discounted AirTrain fare is one among a large number of steps we’re taking to maneuver passengers to and from JFK as rapidly and reliably as potential,” he stated.
You possibly can 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 development exercise every month from now till the tip of summer time. 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 approach for metal beams that may 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, stated. The redevelopment of JFK Airport will embody a brand-new Terminal 1 and Terminal 6, with Terminals 4 and eight present process huge renovations and expansions.
Airport officers are encouraging vacationers to reap the benefits of the AirTrain fare reductions. For many who should drive to the airport, officers suggest arriving at the very least three hours earlier than your flight and pre-booking parking on the JFK airport website. Prospects utilizing ride-hailing providers like Uber and Lyft might want to meet their drivers at distant pick-up heaps.
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