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Re: Why don't Americans ride trains? - An oldie but goodie
Author: J Mann
Date: 01-09-2015 - 12:19
I agree with mook that train frequency is a key factor. If you miss a train and have to wait a day for the next one – that’s crazy. Even a few hours is a pain. It used to be a problem on Caltrain when riding at off peak times. When Caltrain increased service it became a much more viable transportation option and the increasing ridership numbers prove it.
Another problem when you have only one train on a route is Amtrak tries to set the schedule to be the most convenient for the major stops (makes sense). This leaves 30% of the stops only having service in the middle of the night. I have family in Chico, CA and the Starlight is scheduled to stop at 1:47 am northbound and 3:50 southbound. That stinks, especially when it’s running late. Who wants to stay up all night waiting for a train when you can spend the same or less time just driving to your destination? Back in the day SP usually had a day train and night train on the same routes allowing people who were hitting intermediate stops to pick a train with a more reasonable schedule.
A final thing is capacity. If a train is often sold out, like the Starlight is around the holidays, the railroads used to add extra cars or a second section to handle the demand. Amtrak doesn’t have the reserve equipment capacity or the agreements with the freight carriers that allows for this. They are leaving a lot of income unrealized by not being more flexible.
Another problem when you have only one train on a route is Amtrak tries to set the schedule to be the most convenient for the major stops (makes sense). This leaves 30% of the stops only having service in the middle of the night. I have family in Chico, CA and the Starlight is scheduled to stop at 1:47 am northbound and 3:50 southbound. That stinks, especially when it’s running late. Who wants to stay up all night waiting for a train when you can spend the same or less time just driving to your destination? Back in the day SP usually had a day train and night train on the same routes allowing people who were hitting intermediate stops to pick a train with a more reasonable schedule.
A final thing is capacity. If a train is often sold out, like the Starlight is around the holidays, the railroads used to add extra cars or a second section to handle the demand. Amtrak doesn’t have the reserve equipment capacity or the agreements with the freight carriers that allows for this. They are leaving a lot of income unrealized by not being more flexible.
