Some may say "The Times to the rescue", as there exists a toss up possibility that "RR Ticket" will get punched. There is really nothing here we don't already know, but to have a nationally circulated publication (and so far as I'm concerned the most influential news gathering organization in the world) saying positive things that will appear in print Thursday:
WASHINGTON — Long a punch line for harried Northeast travelers, Amtrak has come to dominate commercial travel in the corridor connecting Washington, New York and Boston, and this summer its trains are packed.
Amtrak Dominates Northeast Corridor TravelEnlarge A decade ago, Delta and US Airways shuttles were the preferred mode of travel between the cities. But high fares, slow airport security and frequent flight delays — along with Amtrak’s high-speed Acela trains, online ticketing and workstation amenities — have eaten away at the airlines’ share of passengers.
Between New York and Washington, Amtrak said, 75 percent of travelers go by train, a huge share that has been building steadily since the Acela was introduced in 2000 and airport security was tightened after 2001. Before that, Amtrak had just over a third of the business between New York and Washington.
Posted by palmland (Member # 4344) on :
I suspect the new bus operators have also made a dent in airline share, if not Amtrak's.
Posted by George Harris (Member # 2077) on :
Train ridership is going up in a lot of other short and medium corridors where people are willing to spend 3 to 5 hours on a train to avoid a flight that would take less than an hour in the air.
Posted by Gilbert B Norman (Member # 1541) on :
The article appears today in the print edition - Business section front page above the fold.
Posted by Iron Mountain (Member # 12411) on :
Some years ago a St. Louis TV station decided to try and determine which of three modes of transportation was the fastest between Kansas City and St. Louis. The station personnel drove from downtown St. Louis to downtown Kansas City via I-70. Then they flew, probably Southwest, between the two cities. Finally, they rode the train. In those days it was the Missouri Mule and/or Ann Rutledge. The results: all three modes took approximately the same time, that being about 5 hours. This was prior to 9/11 and improved Amtrak on time performance. The trip is roughly 300 miles. I-70 is a tractor trailer truck racetrack which is not conducive to pleasant auto travel. And the Kansas City International airport is many miles north of KC. I don't remember the mileage, but by the time you disembark get your luggage and secure transportation to the downtown not only has the time advantage been compromised but the cost has increased due to transportation from the airport to the city. And it is just so dadgummed pleasant to cruise along the Missouri River, looking out the window of the lounge car, sipping a bourbon on the rocks, watching for bald eagles, deer, and coyotes, etc. I enjoy going through the historic towns that have some of the oldest vineyards in North America and are dripping with historcal events like Lewis and Clark and the guerilla warfare from the civil war, and so forth. And what could be greater than arriving at the Kansas City Union Station. At one time you could access any point in the United Stats from that station. And the station has been well cared for. These are aspects of the controversy or debate, train vs. airplane vs. auto, that need to be emphasized.
Posted by Ocala Mike (Member # 4657) on :
quote:Originally posted by Iron Mountain:
And the Kansas City International airport is many miles north of KC. I don't remember the mileage, but by the time you disembark get your luggage and secure transportation to the downtown not only has the time advantage been compromised but the cost has increased due to transportation from the airport to the city.
That would be Mid-Continent, right? Back in the day (mid-1960's), KC had an airport practically right downtown. I remember courier runs to pick up crypto material dropped off by USAF Security Service personnel there for which we had to pack our sidearms. Nice run in a staff car from our base in Belton to KC Municipal Airport, but I guess it's not used any more.