Why O'Hare Needs Trains

The travel market is changing as flying and driving become more expensive. High-speed and commuter trains can help O'Hare transition to better serve the region and to protect the investment in the new runways.

Frankfurt Airport is just one example of railroads and airlines working together for the benefit of both.

Short-Haul Service at Risk

Air travel has never been a truly attractive choice in the short-haul market. The time and expense of access to and from an airport cause most people to drive between cities served by short-haul air routes. For example, analysis conducted by ReConnecting America suggests that only 20% of travelers fly between Chicago and St. Louis, even with the existence of Southwest Airlines.

In smaller cities throughout the region, infrequent, expensive and undependable air service contributes to much lower market shares. It is not unheard for executives in cities like Springfield, IL to hire a limo to O'Hare rather than risk missing a connection due to a canceled feeder flight.

The challenge at O'Hare is to find a way to attract residents of these smaller communities to high-volume international flights while the number a feeder flights continues to decline.

Fast trains linking O'Hare to cities and towns throughout the Midwest can fill that gap.

Driving isn't Much Better

Many air passengers skip the feeder flights and drive directly to O'Hare. That often means an overnight stay at a friends' house or a night in a hotel.

Highway congestion on the access highways, combined with the increased cost of driving and parking make this increasingly less attractive. The proposed western access highway will help with the congestion issues, but it will not be sufficient.

Fast trains and intercity buses serving the field directly will reduce the cost and hassle of taking a plane from O'Hare, feeding more passengers onto international and other long-distance flights.

Financing

O'Hare Modernization is being financed by passenger facility charges and other volume related revenues. Smaller airplanes require roughly the same amount of resources, but provide just a fraction of the revenues of a large plane.

For example, a fully occupied 50-seat feeder flight provides just $225 in PFC revenue, while a 777-300 will provide $2,475.

Fast trains can reduce the need for smaller feeder planes while increasing overall passenger volumes and revenues at the airport.

Becoming an Intermodal Transportation Hub

Having a train station at O'Hare isn't just about getting more people on planes. It will work the other way around as well.

O'Hare can become the main railroad station for the Northeast Suburbs, eliminating the need for suburban passengers to travel downtown to catch the train. Add in expanded local and regional buses, and O'Hare can play a major role in creating "Total Connectivity" for the region.