I always thought I'd ride it someday. Tried to a bit over a year ago, thought I'd take the wife up for a weekend in Reno, but the odd schedule didn't match the days I could get off.

So I tried the so-called Zepher instead - but that idea crashed and burned also. Sticker Shock! The fare was more than 2 to 3 times the fare all the way to Salt Lake City! I could have hired a chauffeured cadilac instead! (ya I know - hyperbole)

But I guess that Amtrak is just charging what they can get. The Zepher is (was) often at capacity between Sacto and Reno anyway, with no hope of a second section - no need to attract more riders there.

It rankles me nevertheless. Rail travel cannot grow if it is priced so far beyond the market, while service for whatever reason remains so poor and sparce. Of course, tax supported airports, highways, and other non-rail infrastructure, has severely distorted the so-called "Free Market"; not to mention the direct operating subsidies provided the airlines and charter bus operators by the casinos.

This keeps fares to Reno super low, but they must have forgot about the train as part of a fun holiday. I suppose they don't really care how you get there, just that you do.

The bottom line? As long as there are much cheaper ways to get there, Rail travel to Reno will continue to shrivel up.

OPB