5 replies to this topic

[AlanB]

Well at long last the JFK Airtrain opened for business today at 2:00 PM. For the first day, until midnight tonight, they were offering free rides. So I decided to take advantage of their generosity. I setout from midtown Manhattan on a Far Rockaway bound A train.

Please join with me as I recount my travels and observations on the Airtrain's first day of operations. You can find my full report at the On Track On Line's Trip Report section, by clicking here.

[NickG]

Cool report, Alan. It sounds like the Port Authority has created another gem. Can't wait to experience this thing for myself on Sunday!

[AlanB]

Nick, Frankly, for a few reasons, I wish that the PA had gone with monorail technology here like they did in Newark. I suspect also that in hindsight, some of those NIMBY's along the Airtrain's route are now wishing that they didn't kill the monorail proposal. That said however, yes they still did a nice job with the Airtrain. I just wish that they would stop punishing those who wish to arrive by train. That 5 bucks one way charge starts to add up fast if one has a family. Especially if you travel both ways, as you are now paying $10 per person. However, if one takes a city bus to the airport, or gets dropped off at one of the various drop off points, then you don't get socked with that 5 buck charge to ride the train. What makes this situation even worse, is the fact that every passenger flying out of JFK gets hit with a $3 ticket surcharge or PFC to fund the Airtrain. So those traveling via Subway or LIRR to connect with the Airtrain are now paying twice to ride the Airtrain, for a total of 8 bucks one way.

[AlanB]

Anyone who read my original scaled down story, which had been posted above, may now wish to check out the full length narrative posted in the On Track On Line Trip Reports section. The full length report, which includes 11 pictures, can be found here.

[jis]

What makes this situation even worse, is the fact that every passenger flying out of JFK gets hit with a $3 ticket surcharge or PFC to fund the Airtrain. So those traveling via Subway or LIRR to connect with the Airtrain are now paying twice to ride the Airtrain, for a total of 8 bucks one way.

While I agree with the general point being made by Alan, I'd like to point out that the $3 PFC pays for more than just the Airtrain so it is probably not fair to add the entire $3 to the Airtrain fare.

Jishnu.

[AlanB]

While I agree with the general point being made by Alan, I'd like to point out that the $3 PFC pays for more than just the Airtrain so it is probably not fair to add the entire $3 to the Airtrain fare.

Jishnu.

The $3 PFC charge is largely for the Airtrains only. Some of the monies collected went and/or will go to road improvements at Newark Airport, but the bulk of the monies collected went to building the Airtrains at both Newark and JFK. The following comes from the FAA's website showing PFC projects approved.

NY New York Kennedy International JFK $3 $559,782,600 1-Oct-92 1-Jan-09 Newark monorail; Newark access road improvements; JFK transit.

The full table can be found here, although one needs Adobe Acrobat Reader to view the table.

Of the three projects, the bulk of the monies are going to the two Airtrains. A far smaller amount is allocated for the access road improvements at Newark.

It should also be noted that so far, as of 12/31/2003, the following amounts have been collected:

Newark Liberty: $647,006,360
JFK International: $606,459,960 (Note: The JFK number above was from 1999)
LaGuardia: $487,361,886

Total: $1,740,828,206

The fees from all three airports are pooled for the same three projects that I mentioned above, the JFK Airtrain, the Newark AirTrain (monorail), and road access improvements at Newark. The $3 charge will continue on all tickets until 2009, unless an extension is granted.

So as bad as it is that those who ride either AirTrain from an outside connection, even if it's not quite a full $3, those who board a plane in LGA have it worse. They are paying for projects that don't benefit them at all.

Finally just to make sure that no one is confused, the PFC charge is not part of the tax collected by the FAA for the AATF (Airport and Airway Trust Fund) superfund. A PFC is a specific airport charge only and does not go into the general fund, it remains at the local airport.

The AATF pays for much of the runway improvements at US airports. It also helps to pay for the ATC system and the FAA.