posted
...to the coast of North Carolina. So says an Amtrak brochure/timetable I picked up in Richmond.
This service began a few months ago and I hope it succeeds as it does seem a good way to increase revenue at minimal cost.
While on the Palmetto this weekend, as advertised, at the Wilson, NC stop there were two nice looking long distance type buses (is there a correct name for that?) waiting for the train. One goes the 91 miles to Greenville, NC and then Morehead City on the coast. The other goes 112 miles to Goldsboro and Wilmington, NC, also on the coast. These routes include service for two Marine air stations as well as the Camp Lejune Marine base.
I noticed the recent PIP plans for the SWC included proposed thruway services and we know that service is very important in the bay area.
But isn't Amtrak missing some obvious Thruway opportunities? Several that come to mind: Maricopa to Phoenix; Florence, SC to Myrtle Beach; and Greensboro to Asheville.
And for the record, the Palmetto had good equipment (with wifi), a good crew and was on time in both directions. But don't get the chicken panini.
Posts: 2397 | From: Camden, SC | Registered: Mar 2006
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posted
I think Maricopo to/from Phoenx was tried and did not succeed.
If connecting with the North Carolina trains maybe we should be thinking in terms of Charlotte to Asheville considering the size of Charlotte.
There are a number of others that come to mind: Little Rock to Memphis connecting with the City of NO to/from Chicago, Hammond LA - Baton Rouge - Lafayette LA, Meridian MS to/from Jackson MS, and maybe on to points west.
Posts: 2810 | From: Olive Branch MS | Registered: Nov 2002
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posted
I thought there was some sort of taxi or shuttle service that people use to get between the Florence train station and Myrtle Beache, even though you may not book it with Amtrak.
One of the problems of Maricopa to Phoenix is the train runs only 3x a week. There is a shuttle bus service right at Flagstaff train station that can be booked through Amtrak between Flagstaff and Phoenix but because of the times, it's only for the eastbound train into Flagstaff or to catch the westbound train out. You can book it on your on if you coming from/going back in the other direction, but you'd need to overnight in Flagstaff.
Posts: 2642 | From: upstate New York | Registered: Mar 2004
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