JFK's AirTrain set to fly this month - Transit Update - John F.Kennedy International Airport - Brief Article

Railway Age, Nov, 2003

The automated AirTrain rail system at JFK International Airport is scheduled to open in November. There will be connections with all airline terminals, the Atrain's Howard Beach subway station, and with the Long Island Rail Road's Jamaica terminal, adjacent to the J, M, and Z subway routes and numerous bus lines.

The intra-airport segment, including the Howard Beach link, was due for completion in late 2002 followed by the branch to Jamaica in early 2003. However, a September 2002 testing accident in which an employee was killed delayed completion. The Air Rail Transit Consortium, which holds the design-build contract for the project, then decided to open the entire 8.1-mile line at once. Fares have been set at $5 from both Jamaica and Howard Beach, in addition to the subway or LIRR fare. The $1.9 billion project is being financed by the Port Authority from a $3 airline ticket fee under the FAA-authorized Passenger Facility Charge program.