Your chariot to your flight at Newark Liberty International Airport may soon be driverless, according to a recent Port Authority press release.
While “driverless” and “airport” might not be phrases you’d expect (or really, prefer) to hear together, these autonomous shuttles will remain strictly on the ground. Newark Liberty International Airport is currently undergoing a $3.5 billion redevelopment, which includes upgrades to the facility’s ground transportation systems.
The goal? To test autonomous connections between existing facilities and the new AirTrain Newark system (slated to open in 2030), as well as a future Terminal B.
🚙 Self Driving Shuttles At Newark? Here’s What To Know
Three companies—Oceaneering (March), Ohmio (late March), and Glydways (May)—will each run two-week test periods in non-public areas, simulating high-capacity shuttle operations in the airport’s complex environment.
In the release, Port Authority Chairman Kevin O’Toole said:
As we advance the redevelopment of Newark Liberty International Airport, we are looking for opportunities to improve our passengers’ time at our airport through unique customer-first experiences as soon as you step onto airport property. 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.
🌎 An Environmentally Friendly Way To Get Around
These zero-emissions vehicles have already been trialed in harsh weather conditions, including snow and freezing temperatures, so rain or shine, your future ride should stay on course.
This isn’t Newark’s first foray into autonomous tech. The Port Authority has been quietly testing AV innovations since 2022, from lane-keeping buses to bus-lane platooning, including pilots at John F. Kennedy International Airport and Newark itself. The promise? Safer, more efficient, and potentially more cost-effective ground transit than traditional busing—especially important as the airport anticipates a 50% increase in passengers by 2040.
✈️ A Larger Vision
The self-driving shuttles are just one piece of Newark’s larger EWR Vision Plan, which includes new terminals, upgraded taxiways, improved landside access, and a completely redeveloped AirTrain. When completed, travelers can expect faster, easier connections between terminals, streamlined access to rail stations, and a smoother ride from curb to gate.
Soon enough, fliers can prepare to give up the wheel—at least on the short hop between terminals. Newark’s airport future might just be driverless, electric, and a little bit futuristic.