Newark Airport to Test Self-Driving Shuttles

Port Authority plans spring trials of electric autonomous vehicles for passenger transport.

Feb. 25, 2026 at 7:40pm

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The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey announced it will test self-driving electric shuttles at Newark Liberty International Airport this spring. The shuttles will run between existing airport facilities and a new AirTrain system under construction, set to open in 2030. The Port Authority says the autonomous vehicles will offer a safe and efficient solution for moving passengers as the airport undergoes major renovations.

Why it matters

The testing of self-driving shuttles at Newark Airport is part of the Port Authority's efforts to modernize the travel experience and embrace new transportation technologies. As airports across the country look to upgrade infrastructure and improve passenger flow, autonomous vehicles could play a key role in the future of airport operations.

The details

Three different companies - Oceaneering, Ohmio, and Glydways - will each get two-week trials to test their self-driving shuttle prototypes in a non-public area of the airport. The zero-emission electric vehicles will be used to transport passengers between existing facilities and the new AirTrain system, which is scheduled to open in 2030. This is not the Port Authority's first experiment with autonomous vehicles, as they previously tested self-driving cars at JFK Airport in 2024.

  • The shuttle tests will run from March to late May 2026.
  • The new AirTrain Newark system is set to open in 2030.

The players

Port Authority of New York and New Jersey

The regional transportation agency that operates Newark Liberty International Airport and is overseeing the testing of self-driving shuttles.

Kevin O'Toole

The Port Authority Chairman, who said the autonomous shuttles will offer a safe and efficient solution for moving passengers during airport renovations.

Kathryn Garcia

The Port Authority Executive Director, who stated that autonomous vehicles are becoming part of the modern travel experience.

Oceaneering

One of the three companies that will have its self-driving shuttle prototype tested at Newark Airport.

Ohmio

One of the three companies that will have its self-driving shuttle prototype tested at Newark Airport.

Glydways

One of the three companies that will have its self-driving shuttle prototype tested at Newark Airport.

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What they’re saying

“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.”

— Kevin O'Toole, Port Authority Chairman (cbsnews.com)

“Autonomous vehicles are in use around the world and around the country, and they are part of the modern travel experience whether in a private car, a for-hire vehicle or on public transit. We are building a new Newark Liberty that meets the demands of the next generation of travel, so we must embrace a future that is inclusive of all the different ways we can move this region.”

— Kathryn Garcia, Port Authority Executive Director (cbsnews.com)

What’s next

The three companies will each have their self-driving shuttle prototypes tested for two weeks from March to late May 2026 in a non-public area of Newark Airport.

The takeaway

The Port Authority's testing of autonomous shuttles at Newark Airport is an important step in embracing new transportation technologies to improve the passenger experience and modernize airport infrastructure. As airports nationwide look to the future, self-driving vehicles could play a key role in streamlining operations and enhancing mobility.