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Gee, guess which train had refurbished equipment and enhanced service for only 5 months, and even raised prices. Must be a wise Mineta marketing decision to invest in the high density fast growing Fargo-Havre corridor. Or everyone's life long dream to see the Rocky Mountains in the dark, or to travel 900 miles in daylight without the scenery changing. Can Amtrak take a hint? If you fix it, they will come.
The SWC, also on BNSF and very reliable, did not perform near as well. It will be intersting to see the revenue results after a full summer -if they don't pull the sleepers, diners and lounges off.
RRCHINA Member # 1514
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Mineta Marketing Decision??? Did he participate in making that decision???
These stats are not broken down by months so we cannot analyze short term changes. But I expect the details are available. Can anyone access them?
gp35 Member # 3971
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Sunset wasn't operating for a while east of San Antonio. Sunset is always full with a long first class waiting list. Why not add a few coaches?
sojourner Member # 3134
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Yes, I was thinking the same--statistics on the Sunset cannot be considered accurate because it wasn't operating for a while at all, then not operating east of San Antonio (and still not operating east of New Orleans); plus people are staying away from New Orleans too, aren't they? I'm curious what the Crescent's statistics for the year might be.
TwinStarRocket Member # 2142
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No RRCHINA it wasn't really a Mineta marketing decision. I was just being sarcastic about his claims that Amtrak would do better operating corridors in populated areas instead of running "empty trains through Montana."
The long distance trains already run with a higher percentage of capacity than the NEC, and still are able to post substantial ridership gains when equipment and service is improved.
A little investment goes a long way. I don't know what Amtrak can do about host railroad problems, but they certainly can improve their equipment and service. It might even pay for itself.
RRCHINA Member # 1514
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Greetings sojourner,
The Crescent had 263,080 with a 2.5 percent incr. in 2005.
Now about the Sunset, even given the effects of the two huricanes, a decrease of 15.6 percent shows that the 2004 Sunset had 96400 +/- riders. Not an impressive number.
SunsetLtd Member # 3985
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Don't forget that was before the reliable schedule change.
sojourner Member # 3134
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No, it's not very impressive. I do think the fact that it runs only 3 days a week cuts down a lot on usage; it's so hard to make plans to use it. Also, the late-night times it stops in Tucson and even its main changeover point of San Antonio must discourage some users. And the fact that it takes an extra day to go LA to Chi of course discourages some.
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