Nonetheless, I've got to ask: Aside from the NE corridor, what market is there for long-haul passenger service?
Why is there any need at all to keep Amtrak operating, in any form?
Because there are people like me who do not fly. Also some people like to take the time and enjoy the country and be able to streatch out and move around. Although our last trip back home from Sacramento was awful as there were so many freight trains that the Amtrak had to keep pulling of to the side rail. We were supposed to go to Portland and make our connection there to the Tri-Cities, but we were behind time about 2 hours and so they unloaded us at Klamath Falls, Oregon and bussed us on the rest of the way to the Tri-Cities.
Trains stop at small towns not hooked up for reasonable air service, and they do it more efficiently fuel-wise than buses or private autos. Try getting into and out of places like Shelby, Montana in any mode of public transportation other than rail and you'll see what I'm talking about.
Well you know (he said from some experience) the California Zephyr runs from somewhere in the bay area to Chicago. And they didn't name it Zephyr for no reason. Lotta wind broken on the train, lemme tell ya.
Honestly the crew really tries to make the trip a nice one but the cost is *amazing*! Go to the Amtrak site and try to book a sleeper or nice seats between Sacramento and Reno $$$.
There are plenty of people on board, those afraid to fly and genuinely those that want to see the country up close, and those that want to get smashed on their trip to Reno.
Food is bad and expensive, the restrooms smell and the train is *ALWAYS* late. Amtrak travels at the leisure of the track owners so always count on delays. In the winter after a fresh snow it's no better or more beautiful way to travel.
The problem with Amtrak or any other passenger train operator outside the densely populated corridors is the lack of business travelers. Business travel is what pays the bills and as long as time is money, business travelers aren't going to be riding trains idling in sidings or following the unit coal train.
Today's long distance trains are nothing more than land cruises appealing to affluent retirees nostalgic for the train travel of their youth and others in no particular hurry to arrive at their destination. Until the time comes when inner-city trains can be made attractive to business travelers, there is no sense wasting the taxpayers' money perpetuating an obsolete mode of travel.
I don't have any quality studies to back this up, but my opinion is that with decent routes, reliable service and competitive rates, passenger rail could be well used.
How to achieve those goals? I don't know. But I do know how not to achieve them. Routes that we'd like to use have been cut (central Florida), the trains are not on schedule.
Some years ago a brand new station was built here in Lakeland. We used to use the Lakeland to Winter Park route. Then the train stopped coming through Lakeland. What do they do? To go to Winter Park, which is 50 miles away, you go to the train station & buy a ticket. They put you on a bus to the Orlando train station, then have you get on the train to go the final 10 miles to Winter Park. Insane. Or, I can drive 40 minutes east to Winter Haven's station and then 40 minute train ride to Winter Park. Or I can just get in my car and drive for 60 minutes. And even at $3 a gallon, it's still cheaper to drive.
Thing is, Lakeland is in the center between Orlando and Tampa. Should be a good route.