Mayor Richard Daley recently announced the formation of a new O’Hare Express Blue Ribbon Committee to undertake a comprehensive study for express train service between O’Hare International Airport and downtown Chicago.

The O’Hare International Airport and Downtown Chicago Express rail service would complement existing public transportation options, provide potential for new jobs, investment and speedier access between airport and downtown.

The new express rail service would provide a cost effective and efficient transportation option for O’Hare travelers and help mitigate congestion on the region’s roadway.

The committee will study the feasibility of the new train service and identify the plan for developing it.

Lester Crown, chairman of Henry Crown and Co., has accepted the role of chair of the O’Hare Express Blue Ribbon Committee.

The committee is made up of a group of 16 leaders from the transportation sector, business community, construction industry and organized labor.

The committee members will review financing and downtown area terminus options, potential routes, implementation schedules and the amenities needed to make this premium service attractive to potential customers.

The new service has the potential for significantly reducing travel times between the airport and downtown, benefiting both business and leisure travelers. Several other global cities have similar infrastructure in place such as London, Shanghai, Hong Kong and Tokyo, as well as others under development.

The express train service would not replace the Chicago Transit Authority Blue Line service. The committee expects the new train service will be complementary to the service provided by the CTA.