Commercial Fixed Wing
Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Multiengine
Communication Breakdown; Confusion; Training / Qualification; Distraction; Situational Awareness
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Ground Incursion Taxiway
Flight Crew Became Reoriented; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification
Chart Or Publication; Company Policy; Human Factors; Airport
After landing in EWR we were given instructions from Ground to taxi RB to the gate and contact ramp. Upon getting towards the B intersection we contacted ramp and they said to enter on RA. We were confused about the direction of RA because of recent construction and the moving of the RA taxiway. I knew that there was construction and that there had been an email from the assistant Chief Pilot about a few months ago and I had not flown to EWR since; so I had my student ask the ramp for clarification and all we got was contact Ground again. This went back and forth and we turned the wrong direction on B taxiway towards the old location of RA. We had been monitoring ground on the other radio and he asked if ramp had sent us that way. Our response was one of confusion and we immediately stopped the aircraft. Ground allowed us to turn around and come back the proper direction where we finally got some guidance from the rather less than helpful Ramp Controller; after some cajoling. We did not enter any closed taxiway and we just turned around in the non-movement area; according to Ground; but it was concerning that I could not get good guidance from Ramp and in the heat of the moment I could not find the disseminated information required to taxi knowledgeably. We as a crew should have been more properly prepared for a new taxi situation; however prior to the flight I could not find the email where the information was printed. This may have something to do with trying to find email on my phone versus the company email tool. The ramp [our company uses] at the gates could be more helpful; rather than 'contact Ground' when asked for assistance. The disseminated information should be in the form of Jeppesen updates; not in an old; buried email. Ground seemed to see the light later on with other aircraft and asked if they were familiar. And the biggest problem of all is that there are no signs anywhere to show the location of the new RA. Also why would they not rename a completely new taxiway a new name? The new RA does not go in the proper order: RA; RB; RC as opposed to RB; RA; [and] then RC. All very confusing. Also finding the 'taxi out spots' which are only labeled in small print on the pavement; is also a problem for crews.
Airline Check Pilot reported taxiing the wrong direction due to insufficient chart updates and taxiway surface markings.