[arrasleds]

All this messing around with airtrain just complicated matters -- if NY wants to join the ranks of the other major world cities in terms of transport and ease of access, it needs a proper airport rail connection. I propose a few ideas, feel free to add yours.

1) The future proposed airtrain conversion of atlantic avenue LIRR branch is the wrong way to go. First of all, converting the track to airtrain standards means that a transfer at Jamaica would be required for commuters to get to Lower Manhattan. Second of all, most visitors and tourist travellers would be going to midtown not downtown. Thus focus the link on midtown, not downtown. Build the tunnell in the future, but keep it LIRR standard. A connection to air train would always be available at Jamaica.

2) Airtrain complicates issues, b/c geting hybrid trains etc to run with LIRR is difficult.

3) The best way to link JFK with midtown via a decent rail link IMO would be to either:

a) replace all airtrain cars with special LIRR car sets suited to run on both propulsion systems thus negating mixed traffic issues -- run them into PENN once ESA opens space up there for LIRR.

b) The best solutions but the most expensive: Either tunnell a spur off the closest LIRR line under JFK - say around Laurelton, or elswhere, or open the rockaway branch just for airport trains (less nimby issues due to less trains) and build a short elevated spur off that near JFK into the terminal area. Have one or two main central stations connected to the airtrain for terminal transfers. Run a train every 10 mins into penn, equiped for airport rail with a stop in Jamaica. This is what should have been done first before cheaping out. However, the airtrain would be still valid b/c it would allow people to get to JFk via a transfer from the East Side (Grand Central) and suburban LI. This is the best way for Kennedy, not the atlantic branch conversion. It is basically what most cities do -- they build a spur off an existing line. The tunnel would be expensive, but the environment and convenience factors are greatest.

The Lower Manhattan link is not the greatest idea since Air Train cars wouldn't be that comfortable for long-ride commutes. Also, the Financial district is not the primary business, residential or tourist destination for airport visitors and incoming residents going home. Penn would allow airport travellers easier access to population centers in manhattan and NJ. Lower manhattan would require lenghty subway transfers and has no such through service of course.