Port Authority to test self-driving shuttle buses at Newark Airport this spring

"Autonomous vehicles are in use around the world and around the country, and they are part of the modern travel experience. We are building a new Newark Liberty that meets the demands of the next generation of travel."

"We have been working with self-driving technology successfully for many years, particularly at the airports, and believe autonomous shuttles offer a safe, efficient solution for moving passengers while we concurrently work to build a new AirTrain Newark and the brand-new Terminal B."

"The Port Authority is spending $3.5 billion to replace the aging AirTrain system, with the new one scheduled to open in 2030. When the AirTrain opened in 1996, Newark Liberty served about 30 million passengers a year. In 2024, the airport welcomed nearly 50 million passengers."

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey will conduct spring testing of autonomous electric buses at Newark Liberty International Airport, with three companies—Oceaneering, Ohmio, and Glydways—each operating shuttles for approximately two weeks. The testing occurs in a closed airport section and aims to evaluate autonomous vehicle integration with the airport's modernization efforts. The Port Authority is investing $3.5 billion to replace the aging AirTrain system, scheduled for completion in 2030. Newark Airport's passenger volume has grown from 30 million annually in 1996 to nearly 50 million in 2024. Previous autonomous vehicle pilots have been successfully conducted at JFK and Newark airports, demonstrating the viability of self-driving shuttles for airport operations and passenger transportation.

Read at Gothamist