Newark Liberty International Airport (NLIA), one of the world's busiest airports, annually serves more than 29 million passengers carried on more than 450,000 flights. About 60 scheduled airlines operate out of Newark. The International Arrivals Facility was completed in March 2002 and allows for efficient processing of 1,500 passengers per hour through Immigrations and Customs. Several of NLIA's terminals underwent modernization in recent times, with most of the multi-million dollar projects reaching fruition around 2002.
Approximately 450 trains arrive in and depart from Newark daily. Amtrak, Conrail, and PATH rail lines travel into Newark's recently renovated historic Penn Station. The PATH train connects downtown Newark with New York City. Interstate bus lines serving Newark include Greyhound and Trailways.
The major north-south route with access to Newark is Interstate 95, the New Jersey Turnpike. Routes from the north include Interstates 81 and 287, the Garden State Parkway, and the New York Thruway. From the west, Newark is approached by Interstates 78 and 80. Other major arteries include U.S. Highways 1, 9, and 22, and state highways 21, 24, 25, 27, 78, 82, and 280.
As is characteristic of the New York hub, traffic in Newark and on the freeways is heavy for a sizable portion of the workday. Many commuters rely on public transportation, which consists of rapid-rail cars and buses. New Jersey Transit operates 6,000 buses on 50 lines in Newark, serving more than 40,000 commuters. Beginning in 1993 and continuing through the year 2008, New Jersey Transit is spending $67.5 million to make community rail stations accessible to disabled riders. The Newark City Subway is a tourist attraction on its own—built in a former canal bed, the subway's old-fashioned trolley cars speed past walls covered with tile murals.
Newark's business district is adjacent to the Passaic River. The downtown area is divided into four neighborhoods, each with a special identity: Market Square, Four Corners, Military Park/The Greens, and Riverfront. Broad Street and Market Street intersect in the city center and run perpendicular to each other, providing a reference point for out-of-town travelers. The city is laid out on a fairly straightforward grid pattern.