Thanks for the info.

The real problem, in many ways, is a lack of comprehensive intermodal transportation planning in the U.S. There’s also the special interest groups who lobby for roads, etc. that put their interests first.

I’m not sure about airports gouging people. The status quo is easier and cheaper for them. The advantage of a rail alternative is the dedicated right of way. But the cost of building a dedicated line is probably prohibitive.

Providence T.F. Green has rail on Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor, but Amtrak doesn’t want to stop there.

The problem is not that we don’t have trains. We don’t have any reliable buses either. Why not a branded convenient bus service every 20 min from La Guardia STRAIGHT TO 34th street. Not the current crappy city bus to the subway transfer to the city. ONE SEAT RIDE is crucial.

The reason is airport management across this country only think about short term gains, and would prefer to gouge people on parking and exclusive taxi deals than actually provide convenient public transit and encourage people to fly out of their airport in the long-run.

I would actually think airlines should run discuonted shuttles. Lufthansa has their Airport Bus for 10 EUR to center cities in Germany. Sure, its not the cheapest option but its consistent and RELIABLE.

But of course, that costs money. It’s odd that we can throw away trillions on highways (i.e. “big digs” or “bridges to nowhere”) and spend virtually nothing on high speed rail where it’s appropriate (note where it’s appropriate). The most obvious place is the Northeast Corridor.