The Impossible Dream: A One-Seat Ride to JFK

The goal of someday getting on a train in Manhattan and getting off the same train at JKFK International Airport might seem impossible, but it's not. It would be expensive and difficult, however.

1 minute read

January 11, 2017, 2:00 PM PST

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


AirTrain

Leonard Zhukovsky / Shutterstock

Ben Oldenburg previews a new brief from the Regional Plan Association [pdf] about the options for creating a one-seat transit ride to New York's JFK International Airport. 

In all, RPA has identified five options for this hypothetical future, as part of a larger ongoing regional comprehensive planning effort called "A Region Transformed" (also known as the Fourth Regional Plan).

The brief lists five options, none of which, notes Oldenburg, are easy:

AirTrain Connection
LIRR Airport Express
2nd Ave Subway Extension to Airport
3rd Avenue Express
Super Express

The brief details the pros and cons of each of these options. Expect to see the full "A Region Transformed" plan released in 2017.

Friday, January 6, 2017 in RPA Lab

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Close-up of "Apartment for rent" sign in red text on black background in front of blurred building

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program

Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

April 21, 2025 - Housing Wire

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

6 hours ago - Diana Ionescu

Ken Jennings stands in front of Snohomish County Community Transit bus.

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series

The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

April 20, 2025 - Streetsblog USA

Close-up of white panel at top of school bus with "100% electric" black text.

Driving Equity and Clean Air: California Invests in Greener School Transportation

California has awarded $500 million to fund 1,000 zero-emission school buses and chargers for educational agencies as part of its effort to reduce pollution, improve student health, and accelerate the transition to clean transportation.

3 hours ago - California Air Resources Board

Aerial view of Freeway Park cap park over I-5 interstate freeway in Seattle, Washington at night.

Congress Moves to End Reconnecting Communities and Related Grants

The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee moved to rescind funding for the Neighborhood Equity and Access program, which funds highway removals, freeway caps, transit projects, pedestrian infrastructure, and more.

4 hours ago - Streetsblog USA

"No Thru Traffic - Open Streets Restaurants" sign in New York City during Covid-19 pandemic.

From Throughway to Public Space: Taking Back the American Street

How the Covid-19 pandemic taught us new ways to reclaim city streets from cars.

5 hours ago - Next City