Lexington Minuteman
May 24, 2001

Acela service fast, relaxing and cheap

To the editor:

Business travel to New York is driving the demand for more flights out of
Logan. For Lexingtonians, and other Boston-area residents concerned about
the effects of increased air traffic on the environment around Hanscom and
Logan, there is now a really attractive alternative, for trips to the New
York City area.

On Wednesday, before the ultimate session of Town Meeting, I got up early
and took the Amtrak Acela Express to Newark, spent five hours working with
my clients at the Ratepayer Advocate, took the train back to the Route 128
station, and drove straight to Town Meeting. Even after my long day, the
relaxing time on the train left me with the energy to participate until the
end; Town Meeting dissolved before I did.

The travel time was about the same as flying, but the time was more pleasant
and more useful. The Acela is very quiet, the seats are large and
comfortable, the tray tables (and some seats have real tables) are large
enough to hold a notebook computer. There's even a power outlet by each
seat, so you don't have to worry about battery power. You can use your cell
phone, rather than the airline's $2/minute phones.

Working or relaxing on most planes is much more difficult, and more time on
short plane trips is spent getting to and from the airport, checking in,
waiting to board, waiting to get seated, waiting to take off, waiting to
deplane, waiting for luggage, waiting for a cab ... On the train, you are
never told to turn off electronics, stow your carry-ons, or put your tray
table into the upright and locked position.

Now that the tracks have been rebuilt and the new equipment is running, the
train schedules also seem to be much more reliable than air schedules.
Flights are delayed and cancelled so routinely that it's hardly news.

The train is also much cheaper than flying. Roundtrip Coach on the Acela to
New York or Newark is $240. Even First Class rail, at $374, is $100 less
than the $476 you would pay for flying Coach to Newark (LaGuardia costs
$406). Plus rail saves the cost of getting into the city. And first class on
the train includes really first class food and service.

So you protect the environment, save time and have a more enjoyable ride.
Ride the train and keep Hanscom non-commercial.

Paul Chernick, Lexington

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