4 ms·

This just shows the poor state of NYC's public transport. With decent public transport there should be approximately zero demand for this service. It's about 1

This just shows the poor state of NYC's public transport. With decent public transport there should be approximately zero demand for this service. It's about 1h20m from Penn Station to JFK taking first the LIRR to Jamaica and then changing to the AirTrain. Sometimes you'll get lucky and get an express train and you can do it in about 40 minutes. The distance is about 15 miles or 25 kms. It's normally longer (and a lot more expensive) to take a taxi. It would take about 1h30m to cycle to JFK from Penn Station, which is comparable to public transport (though obviously impractical for most people taking a flight). With well designed public transport the trip should be no more than 30 mins. That's an average of 30 mph, easily achievable by light rail. There should be a direct train connection to JFK instead of the slow AirTrain. Why isn't there? Basically because NYC can't get it's act together when it comes to building public transport. The Wikipedia page has more: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AirTrain_JFK https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AirTrain_JFK

apaprocki 7y ago
Manhattan is huge, so context of where you are starting is very important. For me, I’m a 2 minute walk to the E train, where I can be already through security in the terminal in 45 minutes. What matters is not the speed but the consistency. I’ve never had it deviate from that number by any meaningful amount. We do have well designed public transportation, but you can’t make every point on the island take equal time. It’s similar with the Paddington Express in London. It’s one of the nicest airport train experiences, period. But then you’re in Paddington Station and you need to get to wherever you need to go in the city and that makes it take as long as the JFK trip for most people. If you actually look on a map there’s basically no way anyone could have built a LIRR style train to JFK in modern times without the entire length being a tunnel. The AirTrain is fast and very good at what it does — get you to the subway or LIRR.
- noelwelsh 7y ago
  The relevant time is from whatever the transport hub is to the destination. The people who live a few stops from Heathrow on the Piccadilly line can get there pretty quickly but that is not a useful measure. I chose Penn Station because that's where the LIRR currently leaves from. The Wikipedia article talks about how a direct train line was planned but didn't eventuate. I can't agree that NYC has well designed public transportation. Metro North, the other train line I have experience with, is also dreadfully slow. The subway is old, dirty, and has poor signage.
  - cjrp 7y ago
    > The relevant time is from whatever the transport hub is to the destination It seems like the Heathrow Express comparison is fair then; Paddington's a transport hub (surface trains and several tube lines pass through it), and it takes 15 mins to Heathrow.
- trianglem 7y ago
  What do you mean by security at the terminal? I haven't lived in NYC for a few years now but do they have airport style security now?
  - apaprocki 7y ago
    I meant that I can walk to the E train, take it to the AirTran, take the AirTrain to Terminal 8 and get through security (TSA Pre) in a consistent/stable time.
delfinom 7y ago
>Basically because NYC can't get it's act together when it comes to building public transport. Because nobody wants to pay for it until its on fire. There's also political fighting between state vs. city for control of the MTA.

apaprocki 7y ago

Manhattan is huge, so context of where you are starting is very important. For me, I’m a 2 minute walk to the E train, where I can be already through security in the terminal in 45 minutes. What matters is not the speed but the consistency. I’ve never had it deviate from that number by any meaningful amount. We do have well designed public transportation, but you can’t make every point on the island take equal time. It’s similar with the Paddington Express in London. It’s one of the nicest airport train experiences, period. But then you’re in Paddington Station and you need to get to wherever you need to go in the city and that makes it take as long as the JFK trip for most people. If you actually look on a map there’s basically no way anyone could have built a LIRR style train to JFK in modern times without the entire length being a tunnel. The AirTrain is fast and very good at what it does — get you to the subway or LIRR.

noelwelsh 7y ago
The relevant time is from whatever the transport hub is to the destination. The people who live a few stops from Heathrow on the Piccadilly line can get there pretty quickly but that is not a useful measure. I chose Penn Station because that's where the LIRR currently leaves from. The Wikipedia article talks about how a direct train line was planned but didn't eventuate. I can't agree that NYC has well designed public transportation. Metro North, the other train line I have experience with, is also dreadfully slow. The subway is old, dirty, and has poor signage.
- cjrp 7y ago
  > The relevant time is from whatever the transport hub is to the destination It seems like the Heathrow Express comparison is fair then; Paddington's a transport hub (surface trains and several tube lines pass through it), and it takes 15 mins to Heathrow.
trianglem 7y ago
What do you mean by security at the terminal? I haven't lived in NYC for a few years now but do they have airport style security now?
- apaprocki 7y ago
  I meant that I can walk to the E train, take it to the AirTran, take the AirTrain to Terminal 8 and get through security (TSA Pre) in a consistent/stable time.

delfinom 7y ago

>Basically because NYC can't get it's act together when it comes to building public transport. Because nobody wants to pay for it until its on fire. There's also political fighting between state vs. city for control of the MTA.