LaGuardia AirTrain Panel Emphasizes Alternatives

EAST ELMHURST, QUEENS - As plans for the AirTrain to LaGuardia Airport advance, a group of local advocates says not so fast. Speakers at a Tuesday night forum, who largely opposed the AirTrain plan, urged a full crowd to suggest alternative transportation projects and voice any concerns.

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey will soon begin a yearlong study of the AirTrain's proposed routes on the Grand Central Parkway's median or along Flushing Bay. During that process, the public can share what issues or alternatives they want covered in the review, which assesses the AirTrain's environmental impact and is required by federal law.

"They're steamrolling it," said Frank Taylor, president of the Ditmars Boulevard Block Association, about the Port Authority's approach to the AirTrain project. "We're people that can stop it. I don't believe it's a done deal."

Since Gov. Andrew Cuomo first proposed the idea in 2015, the AirTrain's estimated cost has nearly tripled — from $450 million to the current estimate of $1.5 billion. The AirTrain would run between the airport and Mets-Willets Point, where travelers could transfer between the AirTrain and the LIRR or 7 train. It is intended to reduce traffic congestion and shorten commutes from Manhattan to the airport to under 30 minutes.

Construction would start in 2020, according to Cuomo's office, and the AirTrain would open in 2022. But the AirTrain route cannot be finalized until its environmental review is done.

The Federal Aviation Administration, which oversees the review, is required to study all alternatives, according to Mike Dulong, senior attorney for nonprofit environmental group Riverkeeper.

Panelists encouraged audience members to suggest alternatives and thereby slow down a relatively hasty review process.

On Tuesday, forum attendees filled out a letter template to FAA acting administrator Daniel Elwell. One prompt read: "Alternative means of transport to LGA besides those from Willets Point subway station should be thoroughly considered in the environmental review, especially..."

"As is the case with any critical infrastructure project, public input and a thorough evaluation of all alternatives is paramount,” Port Authority executive director Rick Cotton said in October; the Port Authority runs the airport.

“We’re grateful for the invaluable community input that has guided our planning thus far and look forward to additional engagement as the FAA proceeds with the formal environmental review.”

The metro area's two other major airports, Newark and J.F.K., each have AirTrains. But some critics say the LaGuardia AirTrain wouldn't save travelers time.

"Compared to existing transit services, most riders using the AirTrain would spend more time traveling to LaGuardia than they do now," transit expert Yonah Freemark wrote in 2015, when Cuomo announced the plan.

Speakers at the Tuesday forum — co-hosted by Guardians of Flushing Bay, Ditmars Boulevard Block Assocation and Tri-State Transportation Campaign — suggested alternatives like improving bus service on the Q70 and M60 lines, which go to LaGuardia.

"Sometimes there are projects that can cause temporary pain but are necessary," Nick Sifuentes, executive director of the Tri-State Transportation Campaign, said. "We don’t think that project meets that standard."

Cuomo, on the other hand, has said the LaGuardia AirTrain would set an example for the rest of the country of what comprehensive transit infrastructure can look like. Local advocates agree with the government on at least one thing — improving transportation to LaGuardia is a must.

"For too long, LaGuardia Airport has had the dubious distinction of being the only major East Coast airport without a rail link, and that is unacceptable," Cotton, the Port Authority director, said in June 2018. "Simply put, a 21st century airport must meet global standards."