Re: Lessons To Learn
Author: Freericks
Date: 08-11-2013 - 19:18
Fred Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Nobody answered my question.
> If 43 years ago, the SP didn't have enough traffic
> to support the Delmonte, where is the traffic base
> in 2013?
Actually it was answered but the thread is so mired in BS I'll repeat and add here.
1) SP ran a commuter train, in to SF in the morning, out from SF in the evening - as folks on both sides of the argument have pointed out the traffic doesn't really exist (Monterey to San Francisco commuters).
2) Compare traffic at the time the Del Monte failed to SP traffic from LA to Santa Barbara, to SP traffic in the San Joaquin Valley to ATSF traffic on the San Diegan. Look at the traffic on the failed El Camino and CalTrain in LA in the 70s/80s and compare that to Metrolink traffic today. If present levels of railroad use versus failed levels of railroad use in the 60s and 70s aren't enough to convince you, maybe the simple fact that population has more than doubled might.
3)In the 1960s and 1970s trains were seen as old fashioned and despised. Today they are seen as neat and a cool way to go. In fact, the main thing holding them back is that the SERVICE SUCKS and the locations of the stations are terrible. Can't tell you how many friends I have when they hear about my taking the train to Santa Barbara or San Diego get all psyched and ask, "Really, that sounds great, where would I get that?" As soon as they hear they can't get it from West LA and it takes an hour longer than driving, they lose interest. If rail travel was even close to competitive, it would kill - it would absolutely kill today.