US airports moving towards transportation hubs
A growing trend for US airports: seeing themselves as all-purpose transportation centers or intermodal hubs where national, regional or metro rail, local buses, rental cars, shuttles and taxis are all consolidated.
And why not? Their key assets include buses and airplanes and other means of transportation, as well as acres of unused land.
"It’s a great idea," says Jeff Mayhew, a frequent traveler and a human resources director in Memphis. "It’s about time we catch up. Parking is so expensive these days, and if you’re stuck using a remote lot, you’re likely riding a bus a couple of miles anyway."
Some areas such as Miami and Providence are building their own facilities, while others are considering it.
Travelers, for instance, could take a local express bus or light rail to an airport, many of which are far from urban centers, for more than a flight. There, they could rent a car, or get regional or even national rail service to go somewhere else — without having to transfer to another station.
And they could do it without having to drive and park their car in a far-flung lot. The same options exist when they land.
Airports see practical reasons for turning themselves into public transportation centers. They can reduce pollution and traffic congestion around terminals. They also see dollar signs in building hubs. Some airport officials think they’ll attract greater air service and open up another stream of non-aviation revenue from possible commercial development nearby.
"I think (such hubs) are truly the next logical wave of airport service," says Bill Hooper, an airport architect at architecture firm Gensler. "It’s also a great opportunity for sustainability."
The airport industry is closely watching Miami International and Providence’s T.F. Green airports’ high-profile hub project.
Other cities already have plans on drawing boards or are taking steps. San Diego, Phoenix and Los Angeles are, and Ohio transportation officials are seeking to create an intercity rail station near Cleveland Hopkins Airport, says USA Today.
Advocates of mass transit have talked about "intermodal hubs" at airports for decades without much action, despite several pieces of federal legislation that pushed for more public transportation. A majority of U.S. airports haven’t had the funding, land, interest or political will to take on such massive projects.
But recent developments such as a major move to extend local rail service to airport terminals is leading to a growing awareness of the possibilities.
By David Wilkening
David
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