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More People Traveling with Amtrak
Here's a few days old article out of USA Today I had been meaning to post, but didn't get around to it until now. Amtrak ridership is on the rise and factors include tighter airport security and high gas prices according to the article. The hike in travelers riding is mainly in the Northeast, South and Midwest with the busiest trains coming out of Washington DC. Less security hassle or screening makes Amtrak a more convenient and relaxing way to go visit family when your nerves are already pinched from co-workers back at the office. I don't work in an office, but I can understand that - no one wants the extra bother to top off their holiday if it can be avoided. Anyhow, if you haven't already decided on if and how you are going to go home this season or any place for that matter - try looking to Amtrak. It seems as though the short-distance routes might not be so bad on the pockets either.Filed under: Business, Stories, North America, United States
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Wren Dec 11th 2006 2:33PM
you know, riding the train is lovely. I had only done it abroad until my boyfriend asked me to go on a day trip with him because he had some business to take care of in a nearby town.
It's really fun, I totally reccomend it. The seats are spacious and the views were lovely (of course I live in seattle, other places might be different) And the food isn't the drivel they are trying to make you pay for on airplanes these days.
When you think about it, it makes sense. The train workers are much easier to work with than are airport security who are making minimum wage and it's a lot more comfortable in general.
Walt Dec 12th 2006 6:16AM
I agree that the train is great if you are traveling between major cities on either the East or West coast, but otherwise forget about it - you can't get there from here.
Walt
Gary Dec 11th 2006 2:55PM
Absolutely, Amrak is THE way to travel. It's comfortable, leisurely, and certainly fast enough for me - PARTICULARLY when you figure that you don't have to get to the train station 2 hours early so you can be strip-searched! Train personnel are courteous, and they don't call the FBI if you get up and walk around. Food is decent, and reasonably priced. The scenery is great, too - you get to see what's UNDER the clouds for a change. The government is making a BIG mistake not to support Amtrak more fully. It's an economical and convenient alternative to the hassles of air travel. We need a LOT more trains, going to a LOT more places. (Why, pray tell, doesn't Las Vegas have Amtrak service? What genius dreamed up cutting that?)
Donna Dec 11th 2006 3:21PM
I traveled by train a year and a half ago. I loved the trip on the way to my destination. It's nice to get somewhere without the rush of the airport or the cramped space of a car. The food wasn't bad; some meals better than others. It was great to sit down and have a relaxing meal while traveling. The only drawback to taking the train is sometimes they can get WAY off schedule. On my return trip, we were supposed to get in at 6:30 p.m., and we instead arrived around 2:00 the next morning. Thankfully, we had a sleeper cabin! And if you get a sleeper, it's really no cheaper than flying; so if you're in a hurry, you should probably go ahead and fly. Overall though, I'd still do it again.
mike Dec 11th 2006 3:19PM
The "genius" that cut Amtrack service is us! Train ridership has been so low and Amtrak has lost money for so long that train service has been cut. If you don't want to see it go away comletely support Amtrack by riding a train!
Amanda Dec 11th 2006 3:32PM
I don't know, I rode Amtrak for the first time in 15 years this August from Chicago to Albuquerque. I love the idea of trains...less expensive, great views, fun, get to eat in the dining car, don't have to arrive too early. But our experience this summer was less than good, it was harrowing.
I know many of Amtrak's trains are not being maintained or repaired and neither are the tracks they are riding on (owned & maintained by other rail companies). But I know different parts of the country have different trains, some are maintained much better than others.
Another woman I was riding with who was a very frequent train traveler wanted off that train in the worst way. She took trains everywhere, weekly. She had never experienced a train ride that dangerous or terrifying in her life. It was terrifying to put it mildly.
The train left late from chi to abq so they were trying to make up time enroute. A worker divulged to us that we were going over 90 mph and the regular speed was supposed to be 60-70. It was impossible to sleep since we were being thrown around in our seats, I had to hold on or I'd get bounced out of my seat. The walk from car to car was interesting. Eating dinner in the dining car was something else, items were flying off the tables and we again had to hold on tight. The cars were bouncing so badly that in the area where the 2 cars meet and you step from one to another, one car would bounce up one to two feet while the other stayed down. You had to be agile to not lose a toe. And the fabric to keep the elements off of you while in between the cars was broken so you got rained on. Then later in the night the door right in front of us (we were in the first row of seats in our car) got stuck open. Multiple complaints later, and it never was fixed, they even had a maintenance man aboard. It was thunderstorming that night and so needless to say, we got wet. The staff on that train was nasty and the cars stunk horribly. The smell from the lavatories below would come up depending on the wind direction outside and we had no door to keep most of it out. I felt like I was in a mobile port-o-john. I wondered to myself how much longer Amtrak could stay afloat while falling apart like this. Though I'd bet not all their train routes are like this.
Our way home was actually pretty enjoyable, from abq to chi. No broken stuff, I could sleep, the staff was wonderful, it was nice except the smell of crap was still in the air here and there.
We are not picky travelers. We were heading out to the Havasupai Reservation in Arizona for 15 mile hikes and open air camping, we're not too wimpy, we don't require perfection or pampering. So when a train ride, which I expected to be adventurous, turns into a nightmare for us, that means it's bad.
I hope Amtrak can get off of it's heiny and repair what needs to be repaired and get back to the glory days of train travel.
Margaret Dec 11th 2006 4:07PM
Mostly good things to say about Amtrak.
Trains on time - pretty much. (Pacific N.W.)
Only once during the Pineapple express storm in Nov 06. It was cold on the train, passengers were soaked just getting on to the train. So the trip was damp and wet.Toilet was inoperable and there was a football (CA) game in Seattle so lots of rowdy fans in the next car kept coming through the 'bible' car as they called it to get more beer.
By the way - 'they' lost.
On the whole, prices are good, service is also.
One time at Tacoma, WA the clerk (ticket) wanted I.D.
and to see my pre tickets print out. I had to read it to him as he had just had eye surgery!!!. He was quite rude about it. He then took my drivers licence (he read it) and told me that I would have to get it renewed soon. I knew this of course, but could not resist telling him how impressed I was with the improvement in his eyesight between the pre ticket paperwork printout and the Drivers Lic. I.D. within the space of 10 seconds. I got the biggest scowl from the old grouch!
I will still travel Amtrak. They have great Senior discounts. Every carrier has it's faults, but Amtrak has more positives than negatives.
Clay Dec 11th 2006 4:33PM
Whether trains work for you or not depends on where you live. In the crowded NorthEast corridor, trains are great. Here in Texas, what few rail options exist are slow and expensive. For example, it takes ten hours to take a train from Houston to New Orleans, and 5-6 hours to drive. The train leaves at 6:15 AM, and returns at noon. For two adults and a child, a round trip by train would cost $297.40, driving would cost about $60-$80 in a mid-sized car and take about four hours less (as well as giving a far more flexible schedule.) Flying would be only about $60.00 more than the train, and it is a very short flight.
So long as trains are more expensive and slower than driving, while giving miserable scheduling options, don't expect folks to line up to take the train down in this part of the country.
Clay Dec 11th 2006 4:19PM
Whether trains work for you or not depends on where you live. In the crowded NorthEast corridor, trains are great. Here in Texas, what few rail options exist are slow and expensive. For example, it takes ten hours to take a train from Houston to New Orleans, and 5-6 hours to drive. The train leaves at 6:15 AM, and returns at noon. For two adults and a child, a round trip by train would cost $297.40, driving would cost about $60-$80 in a mid-sized car and take about four hours less (as well as giving a far more flexible schedule.) Flying would be only about $60.00 more than the train, and it is a very short flight.
So long as trains are more expensive and slower than driving, while giving miserable scheduling options, don't expect folks to line up to take the train down in this part of the country.
Todd McAllister Dec 11th 2006 4:21PM
Amtrak is fine, but the government should not be funding the operating expenses like it does. Amtrak should be owned by a private company.
sheralyn Dec 11th 2006 4:49PM
We've traveled by train all over the U.S. and into Canada. Took one trip from Penn Station, NY to California. A great trip. We met people from all over the U.S.; we met farmers and retirees and one excellent poker player from Albany NY who taught my daughter, who was then five, how to play a rather mean game of 5-card stud.
The best thing about traveling by train is that you get to talk with people from different parts of the country. If your trip is a longer one, what can make things interesting is the community dining aspect of your meals. Since the dining car is always full of people, and since there has to be seating for everyone, you find yourself having meals with total strangers. At first, it feels weird; who wants to sit with people they don't know, having to make conversation? It's great, though, because you discover the U.S. in a way you never have before. As I wrote here earlier, we met so many people with different points of view; a farmer I met from Iowa was astounded to learn that the annual taxes on my house (sitting on less than an acre, but 15 miles from NY) amounted to about $14,000; the farmer, who had 400 acres of land, was paying about $400 per year in taxes. I'll never forget how shocked he was. "Just exactly what do you get for that $14,000?" he asked. "A view of NYC," I answered. His assessment? Well, he likes New York, but not that much.
Anyway, traveling by rail is great; Amtrak does a great job and believe it or not, the food is really quite good, far beyond what airlines try to pass off as food.
My advice? Take at lease one great, long train trip in your life. And bring someone you love.
Amtrak Rider Dec 11th 2006 5:47PM
Amtrak cars old and dirty, their fares are usually twice as high as the comparable routes on Southwest Airlines, their customer service sucks, and they get billions of dollars in taxpayer subsidies. Other than that, Amtrak is great.
Cherie Dec 12th 2006 8:59AM
Amtrak will get better when more people want service. The reason we don't have as much train service in the US as in Europe is because after WW2 Eisenhower wanted the Interstate highway system to transport military vehicles and personnel in case it was necessary. So our country concentrated on that instead of continuing to lay track.
Riding the train is better than driving, but you'd better be prepared to take your time. The train that comes to Raleigh is ALWAYS late, and usually gets much later by the time it arrives at its final destination.
The trains used to be owned by private companies, and then the government took them over so they weren't lost completely. Unless there is more demand for new routes (and how could they build them now -- trains and interstate highways are not a good mix!) it is more likely that trains will be cut from service, rather than adding more. It's too bad, because I think we are at a point where people are beginning to think of alternatives to both flying and driving.
H CRAIG GUINTER Dec 11th 2006 8:43PM
I cannot believe there is no Las Vegas connection from Los Angeles.. with the crowds and accidents on Interstate 15.. worlds worst highway in the nation and cannot handle the traffic because of all the growth.. either.. I am totally for it!
Kevin Tierney Dec 11th 2006 6:20PM
Round trip NY-DC $100+ when Greyhound does it for $35? Outrageous!
Noway Dec 11th 2006 6:25PM
I looked into taking a train from southeastern VA to NYC a few years back. The cost was almost the same as flying but it would have taken even longer than if we went by car.
Judy Winans Dec 11th 2006 6:33PM
If you have the time, this is the ONLY way to go!!! I have covered half the country by Amtrak, making several trips. I have taken children with me most of the time, and I tell you, it is the only way to travel with them! They pack their own back pack or pull suitcase that they can handle alone. The youngest was 2yrs of age. They include any toys, books, games, special snacks that they want for their trip. (I keep their clothes separate, and with me) Have you ever seen a train graveyard? I had never till I traveled by train!! I am now retired, and can hardly wait to start using the train regularly!!
RKenigsberg Dec 11th 2006 6:43PM
I am a Select member of Amtrak's ridership program, which means I take a lot of trains. As far as the long distance trains references. It takes one day on a train for every hour you are in an airplane. As far as the cost, I jsut factor in the price of a hotel room and take a room on the train.
When you pay for the roomette or bedroom you do get your meals included. If you factor in the hotel cost and meals it is a bargain. The trains can not comptete with Southwest Airlines in cost. It is not possible and frequent Amtrak passengers do not expect it.
We take the long distance trains for time to work without interuptions, relaxation, and there are persons that DO NOT FLY.
Stop comparing Amtrak to the local airline you frequent. Support the national rail service for another reason. Seeing your country and its glorious scenery without driving.
Jan Dec 11th 2006 6:45PM
Amtrak is great for the ones of us who do not enjoy flying. It is a leisurely way to travel, meet people, read, knit or what ever one's hobby might be. I usually travel from Texas to California at least once per year and always look forward to the trip. The sleeper car is cozy and comfortable and the food is good as a rule. Schedules sometimes are off but Amtrak tries to see that connections are made if possible. I would like to see our politicians fund Amtrak and offer more routes--they certainly seem to find money for other projects.
Jean Baughn Dec 13th 2006 7:17PM
My husband and I have traveled on Amtrak since 1985, all over the U.S. We also traveled on Via with the monthly pass. We have always have enjoyed our trips. Amtrak is late many times as they don't own their tracks, and the government has cut way back on the money paid. Now Amtrak has had to cut back on the dining room because of lack of money. Inspite of all of that,we thoroughly enjoy our trips, the personel, and the people we meet. Service is great in the California San Joaquin Valley!