The SFO AirTrain system opened officially on March 3, 2003 with a 'soft' unofficial opening the week before. SFO AirTrain is an automated, driverless rubber-tired airport Bombardier Innova APM 100 People Mover system. This technology is used at many airport peoplemovers (and is used for the downtown Miami Metroemover). Platforms can accomidate up to 3 cars. Two Lines Operate:
TThe Red Line runs as a continuous inner loop in the clockwise direction connecting five terminal stations, Terminal G/BART (trains stop directly above the BART station with Clipper Vending Machines on the platform) and a separate station for parking garage A. An infill station opened on both routes on October 7, 2019 to service the new on the airport property hotel: the Grand Hyatt at SFO on the same day this luxury hotel opened. As of 2024 these are normally 2 car trains.
The Blue Line makes a loop on the opposite counter-clockwise outer track, stopping at all Red Line stations before leaving the airport on a two-station extension to West Field Road and then the Airport's Rental Car Station. The line was extended about 500 feet to a third station, Long Term Parking, serving the airport parking garages. As of 2024 these are normally 3 car trains.
The AirTrain SFO Service is free of charge although a $20 AirTrain fee is charged per rental car unless asked to be specifically waved if the user didn't take the AirTrain. The BART station beneath finally opened on June 23, 2003. All BART riders except as of July 2013 airport employees with the proper ID badge are charged a $4 Airport fee (designed to pay for the SFO extension) on top of their regular distance-based BART fare to enter and leave the airport BART station.