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212     HELICOPTER AIR SERVICE PROGRAM

Airport alone; and I might add that most people still fly out of crowded National Airport because Dulles is so far away.

We are therefore asking only that a comparatively small sum be spent on the development of what may be an essential component of an adequate overall transportation system.

The Federal Government has invested about $50 million in helicopter transportation. It is not suggested now that the experiments be continued indefinitely; but only that a limited further sum be spent, over a definitely limited time, to bring the experiments to fruition.

I think it should be done.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Senator MONRONEY. Thank you very much, Senator Kennedy.

The point that you make about the high cost of the developing of thruways to the airport I think is cogent indeed and one that we are going to have to reckon with. We are going to have to provide good helicopter service or we will be faced, as Japan was, in building a multi-multi-multi-million dollar monorail from the airport to downtown which serves only those two points. The airport originates the traffic, and it is discharged downtown. They also have a toll road that has been built direct to the airport. They recognize apparently more than we do the adequacy of getting to the church on time, of getting to the airport on time without an undone loss of time in transit.

I think your point is extremely well taken that we are going to have a choice continuing to a degree even better service than we have had before, to the airports from downtown, at a reasonable rate, or we are going to gave to go into heavily subsidized transportation on the surface in order to accommodate what the traffic flow will undoubtedly demand within the next 4 or 5 years.

Senator KENNEDY. I think that is right, Mr. Chairman.

Senator MONRONEY. Further, it is a shame to lose--which we would lose if we do not continue it this year under the 5-year phase-out subsidy plan--we would lose the 14 to 17 years' experience that these fine helicopter companies have accumulated. Once that is dispersed, it can never be put back together again.

Senator KENNEDY. That is right. Really, if we don't do it now, it won't be done. I think all of the other communities that serve to gain out of this, they will lose out. I think it is not just New York and these other cities. I think it is the whole country which is involved, with all of the major communities.

Senator MONRONEY. Furthermore, the good Senator from New York has discussed with me personally the need for more adequate airport facilities. We have discussed this time after time. I am well aware that we must depend on not only seeking out perhaps a new jetport, but also keeping the transportation or even improving it from downtown to Kennedy International, so that we can double-track the runways and increase the capability of taking more and more flights to Kennedy that it can now take under its present single system of runways. This offers a great opportunity to make this the world's most important, busiest, and best-equipped airport. We can't do it without a link from downtown, and that distance will kill you unless we continue the helicopter service.

Senator KENNEDY. I think that is right, Mr. Chairman.