Airports as Transit Hubs

This week, Roger Yu had an article in USA Today that gave an overview of airports with transit links.

Of course, I was happy with the article because it have a huge shoutout to my home airport - TF Green in Rhode Island. The intermodal station - now officially known as Interlink - has been talked about for years. In fact, I think it was supposed to be done when I was twelve at one point.

I turn twenty on Monday.

But the new facility will bring Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority trains to the airport, providing service to Providence and Boston. Unfortunately, one of the big justification of the project (in my humble opinion) - Southwest not wanting to serve Boston Logan - is now gone. But the airport does hope the rail station enhances its image as a Boston alternative, especially to international carriers. The facility will also house new rental car space and a bus stop.

But enough about my little airport (that I love dearly).

The article focuses on transit links to airports. Which I've come to support more as I've been living in Washington for two months now. For example - a cab to Dulles could easily run me $70. I can get to National in less time for less than $5 riding the subway. (Dulles will have rail access in a couple of years, though.)

Or take Boston. It has two mass transit lines, subway and buss rapid transit, constantly running through. Philadelphia has pretty good service from the terminal to Center City via SEPTA.

I like transit for a few reasons. First, it's cheap compared to a taxi or a car rental. Second, I'm not a huge fan of driving in unfamiliar places so good mass transit aovids that. Third, it cuts down on airport traffic. Finally, while this isn't a huge thing for me, it is supposedly better for the environment.

So let's hope the transit experiment at Providence goes. I have my concerns - mainly related to frequency. Having only a few trains per day makes for inconvenience. It's nice having a subway at National, for example, because a train is coming every few minutes. But I would like to see more airports embrace mass transit for sure.

What are your thoughts?