PERSPECTIVE: Amtrak’s decline in ridership could affect new local service
Published: October 19, 2009
Updated: October 19, 2009
In view of the hopes pinned on the expanded Amtrak service to Charlottesville, it is with regret that we learn of a decline in Amtrak ridership. That brief statement doesn’t tell the whole story, but it still has potential relevance for the added Charlottesville route.
Amtrak says ridership fell in the year ending Sept. 30, compared to the year before. However, that seems to be based on a fluke: Ridership in 2007-08 soared at a rate significantly higher than previous years.
The more recent figures still show a gain over 2006-07. An Amtrak spokesman said the new figures indicate resumption of a long-term pace of growing ridership.
So why the concern for Charlottesville?
The new route is designed for tourism, and a decline in the economy seems to have reduced tourists use of passenger rail — just when the new local route needs to prove itself.
Still, the economy is improving overall. We trust Amtrak will give it a chance to become a vital part of that trend of growing ridership.
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I guess maybe it is expensive at $16.00, but if it were a daily commute. Compare what you might have to do to get to DC with the traffic there. You’ll find an argument from many commuters. Without using my milage from Amtrack I took the family (4 kids, my wife, a girlfriend of one of my sons and our care) via Autotrain 7 people 1 car, $1,194 (and some change) round trip two weeks. I save a fortune on the car rental by not having any, this past summer. It was a bit higher $1,257 (same travelers) to Florida. Not bad at all….again a nice trip, very relaxing.
But still it is somewhat expensive. Since we are trying to socialize medicine which we have taken from Europe why can’t we get other tips from the like a thing that they have called PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION…..trains for expamle that are cheap…..or buses that don’t run people over….our train infracture is mostly for moving cargo not people…..there is no need to have high prices on the train…..in most cases now you can fly cheaper than training it.
I agree on that cost for the Cresent, I believe the North East Regional is $16.00. Again the timings and to some extent the procings are not great for a daily commute. Still for my trips to NY the Acela goes every hour on the hour the Northeast Regional is every hour on the half hour. I took my wife to NY on a Saturday for the weekend to see the Rockettes. I must admit it was a nice leisurly trip and had I driven to DC and parked in the garage the cost would have been more than the $32.00. It was a hit with the Mrs.
Yeah….but if Amtrak had reasonable prices maybe it would be used more often….I think that it is along the lines of $32.00 one way to DC…DC is only about 45 miles by train….how outrageous is that????
Sad but amtrak ridership should have grown as a result of the economic down turn. I ride the Amtrak to NY and back but unfortunately the timing of the pickup going the other direction (away from C’ville) doesn’t get me there on time. I love the trip though always relaxing, always on time, and shorter 75% than flying with a cost and service second to none.
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