[denizen467]

The el is pretty much a joke as airport access if we're trying to be a global city. Yesterday (Friday) on the radio news, in the span of 6 hours there were 4 separate announcements of stoppages on el lines. At night, there was a very publicized shooting on the train at Ashland/Lake which halted the Green Line. Earlier, the Red Line was stopped around Howard because of a sick passenger. Before that, there was an announcement about police activity on the Green Line. And late in the afternoon there was news of residual delays after problems on the Blue Line.

Crime (as well as panhandling and general dirtiness) and random stoppages of completely unforeseeable duration are not compatible with being a real airport link.

dropdeaded209's comments aren't terribly helpful in planning airport access. First, simply saying much of Europe is lousy and therefore Chicago has nothing to worry about is really celebrating mediocrity. Second, there nevertheless are excellent airport links in Europe, like Vienna's stellar new train, and the good ones dropdeaded209 listed, and then the Elizabeth Line / Crossrail is about to open to Heathrow. Third, Europe doesn't have the violent crime problem Chicago has, and because European cities already have a critical mass of non-poor riders going to the airport, there are more "eyes" everywhere and more safety. Meanwhile, in Chicago there is little reason to think crime will do anything but increase going forward (though one can hope). Fourth, we are in the midst of a process of planning a possible airport link, that means you don't compare to what Europe built in the 1970s or 1990s or 2010s; you have to project what society will need and expect in 2030 and 2040.

Finally, why even look at Europe; Asia is light years ahead on airport trains, and those should be the guideposts.

I'm not in a position to offer an instant financial justification for an airport link over other downtown rail projects; it's quite true those would benefit more riders. But the Kennedy is turning into gridlock, which will throttle the whole point of the airport, as well as choke much other activity. Moreover, a highly reliable airport link can easily help lure more jobs, and countless other activity, to the city. It even has that aspect of a Millennium Park or a museum expansion where a seemingly zero ROI on public investment will end up producing great dividends.