Ticket sales limited to 50% of train capacity. A 20% cut in workforce by Oct. Face masks required for passengers in waiting rooms and on the train. The closure of cafe cars with food takeout required.
I have a problem with the face mask rule. I think, especially with time and if the virus level drops significantly, one could question how effective the masks are. I sure wouldn't wish to wear a mask in coach. I assume masks won't be required in a sleeper. With takeout food only, could it mean more food truck service or even a separate takeout food car as part of the train?
Will all Amtrak routes and frequencies return to normal?
Richard
Posted by Gilbert B Norman (Member # 1541) on :
Don't know if there are more "butts on the cushions", but the consists are growing.
But for me, you're not about to catch this 78yo on a train, plane, bus, using a public restroom, attending a public event, or staying in a hotel "until further notice".
Posted by PullmanCo (Member # 1138) on :
Amtrak should use sleepers not sold as coaches for the moment. Remove the curtains, mattresses, beds, pillows and towels. Assign 1 person (unless a couple) to each section, and 2 people to each compartment. We are all old enough to understand those terms.
Seal the shower annexes.
You just added 37 seats per car.
Posted by Gilbert B Norman (Member # 1541) on :
While this material only has tangential bearing to commercial transportation, it is nevertheless interesting, in view of that the population is comprised of epidemiologists; e.g. Drs. Birx and Fauci:
Many epidemiologists are already comfortable going to the doctor, socializing with small groups outside or bringing in mail, despite the coronavirus. But unless there’s an effective vaccine or treatment first, it will be more than a year before many say they will be willing to go to concerts, sporting events or religious services. And some may never greet people with hugs or handshakes again.
For low travel volume: Recently my oldest son drove from Dallas to Memphis and flew back. Pre Corona American had 5 flights per day MEM-DFW. The schedule a month ago when he did this was 2 per day. His flight had 17 passengers. But the true ghost town feel was the terminal itself. Like a late 60's railroad station crowd. 5 cars pulled up in front of the terminal, normal probably 30 plus. One car passed me while stopped. Looked inside, one American counter open and about 2 people in front of it.
Posted by yukon11 (Member # 2997) on :
quote:Originally posted by Gilbert B Norman: Anyone think Amtrak travel has sunk to a new low?
How can Lufthansa withstand a 2.4 billion quarterly loss and survive? If all the major airlines are in such horrendous financial shape, will any of them survive?
Maybe we will all be back to taking passenger trains once again.
Richard
Posted by Gilbert B Norman (Member # 1541) on :
Richard, "before it's over", I believe at least one, and likely more, US flagged airlines will petition for Bankruptcy Protection. American's acquisition of US Air, and for that matter the latter's immediately prior acquisition of America West, resulted in issuance of debt instruments. That means leverage which sure can juice up returns (ROI) when "everything's rosy"....nevermind the result when "things are otherwise". "Otherwise" results in some mighty creative assets to pledge as collateral to stay afloat.
"Irrational exuberance" and airlines go hand in hand. But however the airline industry emerges "on the other side", there may be an impetus to develop potential Corridors, but I would not expect any like impetus regarding Long Distance routes.
Posted by Gilbert B Norman (Member # 1541) on :
I'm sure the advocacy community cheers when they learn of this Huffington Post material.
Fair Use:
While rail advocates have long called on the U.S. to invest in train infrastructure and commit to building a world-class, coast-to-coast, environmentally friendly passenger rail system, the funding has yet to come. Flying remains the default way to travel between distant cities.
Some see a sliver of hope that this may change, however, as the U.S. grapples with both the coronavirus pandemic and the climate crisis.
For one thing, air travel suddenly looks a lot less enticing in the COVID-19 era. With social distancing nearly impossible at 30,000 feet, anxieties are high and passengers eye each other skeptically, worried that every cough or sneeze will spread the coronavirus. And the pandemic has dealt the aviation industry a catastrophic financial blow, grounding thousands of planes and leading to pay cuts for many of the roughly 715,000 people it employs in the U.S.
Even if not said, the freelance journalist author, obviously holds "make 'em run more trains". But to do so will require dedicated passenger ROW's much as exists in the Corridor and with Utah Transit. But so far as imposing upon the industry to run more passenger trains over their existing property simply represents a "taking". As more roads adopt "The Gospel According to Saint Hunter", otherwise known as Precision Railroading, the impact of any such "taking" will be harder to absorb.
"One a day", even if they wish it could be gone, but over the past fifty years, the industry has become Kubler-Ross Phase V "Acceptance" on such. Any more intrusions, uh "not too sure" on that one.