Rail transit to airports (metro, Baltimore, Philadelphia, Portland)
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"The failure of most American cities to connect their airports to downtown with trains (or to do so hopelessly after the fact) will go down as yet another of our great infrastructure blunders." - John Kasarda/Greg Lindsay, "Aerotropolis." While I suppose you can excuse Indianapolis, Columbus and Kansas City, which haven't even gotten around to building their first rail transit line, what about Buffalo, New Orleans, Pittsburg, Houston, Salt Lake City, Memphis, and many others that have rail transit lines but they don't reach the airport?
While it's better than nothing, I wouldn't really call the Memphis trolley lines, with its restored antique rolling stock, "rail transit." It's less than 7 miles and it only covers some parts of downtown.
It's really inexpensive, it's fun to ride, and it's much better than walking several blocks during the ridiculously hot, oppressively humid summer. But forget reaching the airport, I'd be happy to see it reach midtown. If Memphis had "real" rail transit I'd be tempted to pack my stuff and move back there tomorrow. But I'm only in my 30s and I'll be surprised if I even live long enough to see that happen.
While it's better than nothing, I wouldn't really call the Memphis trolley lines, with its restored antique rolling stock, "rail transit." It's less than 7 miles and it only covers some parts of downtown.
It's really inexpensive, it's fun to ride, and it's much better than walking several blocks during the ridiculously hot, oppressively humid summer. But forget reaching the airport, I'd be happy to see it reach midtown. If Memphis had "real" rail transit I'd be tempted to pack my stuff and move back there tomorrow. But I'm only in my 30s and I'll be surprised if I even live long enough to see that happen.
That's exactly the point of trolley lines--they are intended to link adjacent neighborhoods and simplify short walks, not provide long-distance commuter transit. Think of them as pedestrian accelerators. And antique rolling stock can certainly serve as modern transportation--San Francisco's Market Street line still functions as practical commuter transportation, in addition to their basic awesomeness.
I've used both St Louis and Portland OR rail transit exclusively when visiting on business to get from the airport. I think it is a great asset when it's feasible.
Harrisburg PA (MDT) continues to flub up adding a rail station to its airport. It seems silly but an Amtrak stop probably would be a better bet to get downtown to its well-located Amtrak station, than the city bus that doesn't run on Sundays. Would also help for fliers out of Lancaster PA, which has its own airport but terrible service.
That is a people mover its job is to connect the airport's terminals to the subways and other trains. It does not say go into the city and have its own route. Chicago' has a tiny one the Airport transit system which connects the ternminals, parking lot and metra station.
That's exactly the point of trolley lines--they are intended to link adjacent neighborhoods and simplify short walks, not provide long-distance commuter transit. Think of them as pedestrian accelerators. And antique rolling stock can certainly serve as modern transportation--San Francisco's Market Street line still functions as practical commuter transportation, in addition to their basic awesomeness.
I wasn't complaining about the antique-ness. I think it's pretty cool and it fits with the character of the buildings downtown. Yeah, "pedestrian accelerator" is a very apt name for it. You get from here to there much more quickly than walking, while still being able to enjoy the scenery.
The point I was trying to make was that it seems unfair to criticize Memphis for not connecting its airport to its "rail transit" because it doesn't have anything that could really be called "rail transit."
That is a people mover its job is to connect the airport's terminals to the subways and other trains. It does not say go into the city and have its own route. Chicago' has a tiny one the Airport transit system which connects the ternminals, parking lot and metra station.
No its an Airtrain , not really a people mover. It goes outside the Terminals....
Actually, it seems like most American cities except with the most limited transit systems manage to connect their cities to airports. I'd care more about having rail connections that go to where people live and have high ridership, though airport connections are nice.
No its an Airtrain , not really a people mover. It goes outside the Terminals....
Ah I was thinking airport line like the Orange or Blue line or Metra North Central where the airport is one of many stops rather than a dedicated service. (i.e. These trains would be useful even without the airport).
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