From the archives: All aboard AirTrain; $1.9B loop to JFK

This story was originally published in Newsday on Dec. 18, 2003

Thirty-five feet above the Van Wyck Expressway, cruising along at 50 mph, the most unusual feeling settles in: pleasure at the sight of a clogged highway.

Things look different from the window of an AirTrain car.

The postage-stamp yards and tiled roofs glide by while cars sputter bumper to bumper below. Horns and car alarms are inaudible; the only sounds are the train's hisses and hushes.

For a $5 fare, that is what the AirTrain, which opened to a thousand oohs and ahhs yesterday, will offer an estimated 34,000 daily riders.

"We made it, didn't we?" said Charles Gargano, the vice chairman of the Port Authority, which built the $1.9 billion, 8.1-mile loop. "Because today, it is done."

Yet officials at a ceremony marking the opening made clear that they wanted Kennedy even more mass-transit accessible.

"The next step is you're going to be able to get on the train in lower Manhattan, or get on the train in midtown Manhattan, and get off at your terminal," Gov. George Pataki said.

Pataki later dismissed a plan proposed Tuesday by Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) to use federal money provided to the state after Sept. 11 to pay for a direct rail link to Kennedy from lower Manhattan.

"I would appreciate it if those in senior positions in the Senate delivered more money instead of telling us what to do with the money that we already got," Pataki said. He added that he was committed to a lower Manhattan link, which his office is studying.

A Schumer spokesman replied: "It's sad and unfortunate that the governor has so quickly forgotten that Chuck Schumer and the delegation was instrumental in delivering the $20 billion that will pay not only for the JFK rail link, but for most of the governor's Lower Manhattan Development Corporation's activities."

The AirTrain's first day went largely according to plan, with one hitch: When Mayor Michael Bloomberg exited the train at Jamaica station, he was hit by closing doors that separate the terminal from the train. He appeared startled and momentarily angry, then continued with the ceremony.

The service yesterday was free of charge, and dozens of people passed through the gates - some bound for travel, others merely curious. The free shuttle buses were still running yesterday, but as of midnight, AirTrain will be riders' only option.

Among the passengers were Astha Ghai of the Upper East Side and Amit Kalra of Woodside, bound for Italy.

"The only thing that's an inconvenience is walking up the stairs," said Kalra, 25, referring to the subway stairs in Jamaica, which by this summer will be replaced by an elevator.

Race to the Runway - Three Newsday reporters took three different routes to Kennedy Airport yesterday from corner of 42nd Street and Seventh Avenue at 3:55 p.m.

1st

Reporter: Joshua Robin

LIRR

Cost: $6.75 for LIRR ticket; $5 for AirTrain

3:55 p.m.: Takes E train to Penn Station

4:14 p.m.: Boards LIRR train

4:39 p.m.: Arrives Jamaica

5:11 p.m.: Arrives Terminal 2

Highlight: Saw college acquaitance in subway station; averted eyes.

2nd

Reporter: Luis Perez

SUBWAY

1 Hour, 20 Minutes

Cost: $2 for subway; $5 for AIrTrain

3:55 p.m.: Takes E train to 14th Street, tranfers to A

4:53 p.m.: Arrives Howard Beach station

4:58 p.m.: Boards AirTrain

5:15 p.m.: Arrives Terminal 2

Highlight: Three men playing bongos on A train.

3rd

Reporter: Bryan Virasami

TAXI

2 Hours, 24 minutes

Cost: $35, plus $5 tip

3:55 p.m.: Unable to hail cab, walks to Port Authority taxi line

5:01 p.m.: Gets in a cab. Driver takes Midtown Tunnel to LIE

5:29 p.m.: Traffic slows to a standstill

6:19 p.m.: Arrives Terminal 2

Highlight: Cabbie tried to charge $55 because of the traffic and rain. He changed his mind when he saw his passenger was taking notes.