I hear the train a comin', it's rolling 'round the bend

Mar 13, 2009 18:16

What's the deal here?  One would think that Amtrak would want to be competitive with airlines for traveler's money.  They're not going to get you from A to B faster than a plane, so shouldn't they concentrate on cheaper?  I thought so when I tried to plan a trip.

papabear27 and I discussed at one time venturing out to Cedar Point to ride the coasters we don't have here...yet (the group that owns Cedar Point acquired Carowinds from Paramount's theme park division in '07, so maybe we'll see some new additions soon).  I figured flying would be too costly, in patience and money.  I didn't consider driving because I just want to let someone else do it.  So I call up Amtrak's trip planner applet and set up Greenville to Sandusky...$150 per person each way.  Not too bad, about what I was expecting.  Then I notice the times involved; for the first leg we depart from G'town at 11:15 PM and arrive in DC (dee CEEEEEEEEEE!! ;) ) at 10:10 AM.  Hmm, not much sightseeing on a "red-eye", so I check on a bedroom option (the private toilet and shower, such as it is, was a selling point).  The DC to Sandusky leg is about as long, but there is a little daylight to work with; depart at 4:05 PM and arrive at 3:30AM.  The bedroom on this leg is MUCH more than the first, so I figure we can grin and bear it in the regular seats, but for shits and giggles I select the bedroom option for that leg also.  After it's all sorted out for two adults and a private room for both legs, I get a quote of $898.  This is just for the trip up, mind you.  Hotel, admission and all the other stuff hasn't even been factored in yet.  Is it any wonder why rail travel has fallen out of favor??  This is just to go a few states north; imagine doing a cross-county trip of several days.  A bedroom option is pretty much required...well, it would be for me at least, I just hope they have some sort of discount for long-distance destinations.

So, I guess I'll go out to the car now and play with the navigator to plan a road trip.

This lyrical sub-line is from Johnny Cash's Folsom Prison Blues

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