A better way for Queens rail line

Forest Hills: In a March 6 editorial, “The right train to the plane,” the Daily News concludes that the Rockaway Beach rail line is the best route for one-seat to JFK, but fails to mention that 50 years of transportation studies have shown otherwise. The editorial provides no evidence backing this claim, its associated costs, feasibility or impact on surrounding communities including the potential for slowing down commutes for those who travel on the Long Island Rail Road by adding train traffic onto an already overloaded system.

One specific study from 1975 estimated the cost of reactivation to be $469 million, which would be over $3 billion in today’s dollars for an already cash-strapped MTA. For comparison’s sake, QueensWay is estimated to cost $140 million to develop this city-owned land into a 47-acre park.

A January 2017 analysis by the Regional Plan Association lists five options for a one-seat ride. It cites as the least expensive option running a “hybrid” train from Penn Station through Jamaica Station and onto the existing AirTrain right-of-way. This option was chosen as the preferred alternative in a 2001 report to the MTA by the consulting firm AECOM, and would leave the long-abandoned corridor available for reuse as a linear park and 3.5-mile bike path.

Critically, your opinion piece does not reflect that rail reactivation would cause the community harm, including the loss of 7 acres of existing park space. This would require special legislation by Albany to alienate parkland and find another 7 acres in an area that already has scarce outdoor space. In addition, reactivating the line would bring trains dangerously close to hundreds of homes and a dozen schools, while also closing several Little League fields.

Andrea Crawford and Karen Imas Friends of the QueensWay Steering Committee

Trains to the planes

Manhattan: A new fleet of rail cars that meets performance and safety requirements for operation on the JFK AirTrain and also on the LIRR, suggested in your well-thought-out March 6 editorial, could also be designed to operate on the Amtrak line to Newark Airport. The limited-capacity monorail at Newark Airport needs to be replaced in any event, and a one-seat ride rail service directly to the terminals at both Newark and JFK would greatly enhance access to the region’s two international airports. An “interairport shuttle” passing through Penn Station would enhance this station’s capacity, particularly if it were part of a full-scale remaking of the region’s three commuter railroads into a coordinated regional rail system with frequent service, integrated fares and through operation at Penn Station. It’s up to Govs. Cuomo and Christie to make this happen.

George Haikalis, president Institute for Rational Urban

Mobility

The envelope, please

Brooklyn: If Voicer Benny DeStefano wants his 93-year-old parents to receive ashes, he should check with his parish. I got ashes for my neighbor in a small envelope at Good Shepherd RC Church in Marine Park.

Fran Giammalvo

What’s in a name

Vero Beach, Fla.: To Guy Esposito and Mary Esposito: No problem. We like to see our name in print. Al and Val Esposito

Stiffing seniors

Whitestone: So the Republican bill that repeals Obamacare is telling me that because I didn’t die yesterday, I will have to pay more today as a senior. Does President Trump want me to sign over my Social Security check to him, too? If I’m lucky, I’ll die tomorrow. I know Trump really needs my money. Sally DeFelice

College education

Staten Island: To Voicer Shawny Carroll: The Electoral College was put in by the Founding Fathers so the votes of all of the states, and not just the big ones, count. Most of the big states voted for Hillary Clinton, but overall Donald Trump won more states. It is the fair way to do it.

James Garofalo

Where are they now?

Brick, N.J.: We are making headlong progress from “the greatest generation” to “the lost generation.” Arthur M. Greenbaum

Think, people, think!

Hightstown, N.J.: Our country is under siege by an enemy far more insidious than any lurking terrorists among us. The real threat to our country is the multitudes of its own citizens who have lost their political gag reflex. Have they who are afflicted with this serious disorder never once questioned how they have permitted themselves to become so hoodwinked and lulled into such complacency by the current political mob with their trumped-up cons? The toocredulous public seems satisfied to look on in a near-comatose state of mind. Will the conned ever be capable of experiencing a born-again event in critical awareness? In 1920, writer and sage H.L. Mencken must have sensed something when he wrote: “As democracy is perfected, the office of President represents, more and more closely, the inner soul of the people. On some great and glorious day the plain folk of the land will reach their heart’s desire and the White House will be adorned by a downright moron.” There is no longer room for doubt that our nation requires a critical, conscious public that questions everything, rather than a nation of blind patriots who too often question nothing.

Gary Grubb

Russian to conclusions

Brooklyn: Russia connection questions. 1) Were you ever in Russia? 2) Why were you there? 3)Did you talk to any Russian politicians? 4) What did you talk about? Simple, direct questions.

Joseph M. Sellers

Protesting themselves

Manhattan: I would like to offer a meditation technique for those who are sick and tired of the relentless antics of the left refusing to accept the outcome of the election. Walk away from physical threats and confrontational optics, look past the moronic pink hats, hypocritical white suits and black-hooded males breaking windows, and concentrate instead on this image: a snake eating its own tail. That is what they are and what they are doing, and in time they will be gone by their own actions. Diane Moriarty

Their price

Bayside: Why would workingclass deplorable basket cases believe anything in the news? Commentators like George Stephanopoulos, making $10 million a year on ABC, and Mike Lupica in the Daily News, a sportswriter who also writes political commentary, have their own agenda. All media should publish the salaries of their commentators and those of the owners of the broadcasting stations.

Tom Dowd

Contagious pix

Astoria: Re the female Marines who sent pictures of themselves on the internet: Why? (“Marine nude pix scandal,” March 6). Didn’t you realize the pictures could be shared? The best way to prevent this from happening again is not to share pictures of that nature that could cause you to be embarrassed.

John F. Pellitteri

The great number 8 We stand with Eddie

DLANDstudio Glendale: I have been a Met fan since 1962. I just cannot understand why Gary Carter’s number 8 was not retired by the Mets. Not taking anything away from players like Mike Piazza, who also deserved it, but he just recently made the Hall of Fame. Carter made it years ago. His number 8 was retired by the Montreal Expos, so why not by the Mets? This should have been done while the man was still around to see it happen. Even when he passed away, they didn’t do it. Please, Mets, correct this horrible wrong.

Laurel Turnbull Bronx: To Voicer Debbie Gariolo: I also was born and raised in the Bronx, and grew up on the same street as Eddie Kranepool. My brother Tommy was his boyhood friend and played Little League and sandlot ball with him. They went to the same high school. My brother is gone now but I know if he was still here he’d want to do all he can to help Eddie. I and my brother’s two boys stand in his stead. We, too, would love to hear about any way his fans can help him.

Jeri Ponticelli