AirTrain (SFO)

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AirTrain
Locale San Francisco International Airport
Transit type People mover
Began operation February 24, 2003
System length 6 mi (10 km)
No. of lines 2
No. of stations 9
Operator(s) San Francisco Airports Commission

AirTrain is a fully automated people mover at San Francisco International Airport (SFO). The system was built by Bombardier at a cost of US $430 million, and opened on February 24, 2003. The trains operate 24 hours a day on two separate lines, covering a total of six miles (10 kilometres).

The entire AirTrain fleet is wheelchair accessible and allows rented moving carts onboard. The system is comprised of 38 CX-100 cars built by Bombardier of Montreal, Canada. The system can also be found at Tampa, Denver, Atlanta, Houston, and Orlando International Airports.

[edit] Lines and stations

AirTrain interior
AirTrain interior

AirTrain operates on two lines—Red Line and Blue Line—both of which run every 2½ minutes. The Red Line travels in a clockwise loop, beginning with Garage G station and ending with Garage A station, which takes about 9 minutes to go around the loop. The Blue Line travels in a counterclockwise loop, serving the same stations in reverse order, and also proceeding to West Field Road and the Rental Car Center, which takes 19 minutes for a round trip.

Alternatively, passengers may walk around the terminal loop instead of riding AirTrain, which takes about 25 minutes by foot; however, passengers must ride AirTrain to access the Rental Car Center.

SFO's AirTrain is free of charge.

System map inside AirTrain car
System map inside AirTrain car
Station Lines Notes
Garage A Red Line
Blue Line
  • International parking
International Terminal A Red Line
Blue Line
Terminal 1 Red Line
Blue Line
Terminal 2 Red Line
Blue Line
  • Domestic Parking
  • Former Boarding Area D
  • Gates closed since opening of new international terminal in 2000
  • Airport medical clinic located on lower level
Terminal 3 Red Line
Blue Line
International Terminal G Red Line
Blue Line
Garage G / BART Red Line
Blue Line
West Field Road Blue Line
Rental Car Center Blue Line
  • Access to most car rental companies
  • Transfer to shuttle to additional off-airport rental companies

The AirTrain stations at the International Terminal are located one level above ticketing, at both ends of the main hall. Stations at Terminals 1, 2, and 3 are located on level 5 of the domestic parking garage.

[edit] See also

[edit] References