Allen Dee
Lead Service Attendant
There has been talk about reducing on-board amenities on many Amtrak trains.
However, most commuter railroads have very few, if any, on-board amenities.
Take a look at this example:
One can board Metrolink train 214 in Lancaster at 11:27 AM and arrive at LAUS at 1:20 PM. Take a walk over to Phillippe's for a sandwich, salad, and beverage. Walk back to LAUS. Board Metrolink train 602 at 3:30 PM and arrive in Oceanside at 5:25 PM.
The only on-board amenities on Metrolink trains are restrooms and water fountains, not even reclining seats.
The one-way fare for this 155-mile trip is $11.75, much lower than a similar trip on Amtrak, and probably at a higher subsidy; and the only people in LA who would complain about this subsidy are the members of the (Communist) Bus Riders Union. The cost of driving this trip, according to the AAA, is $87.11, although driving would be much faster.
As much as I would to hate to see a reduction or elimination of on-board food service, if that's what it takes to save the entire Amtrak system, then so be it. If the Pacific Surfliners had only vending machines, I would still ride them; but I would rather have the personal service that I now get.
On the other hand, drastically reducing or eliminating food service on the LD trains would be a disaster.
I'm not familiar with the commuter rail operations in other parts of the country. Perhaps someone that is familiar with those trains could post a response. My question: Can one make a two-train, one-way trip of similar distance and cost (in the same general direction) on a single carrier in other areas?
However, most commuter railroads have very few, if any, on-board amenities.
Take a look at this example:
One can board Metrolink train 214 in Lancaster at 11:27 AM and arrive at LAUS at 1:20 PM. Take a walk over to Phillippe's for a sandwich, salad, and beverage. Walk back to LAUS. Board Metrolink train 602 at 3:30 PM and arrive in Oceanside at 5:25 PM.
The only on-board amenities on Metrolink trains are restrooms and water fountains, not even reclining seats.
The one-way fare for this 155-mile trip is $11.75, much lower than a similar trip on Amtrak, and probably at a higher subsidy; and the only people in LA who would complain about this subsidy are the members of the (Communist) Bus Riders Union. The cost of driving this trip, according to the AAA, is $87.11, although driving would be much faster.
As much as I would to hate to see a reduction or elimination of on-board food service, if that's what it takes to save the entire Amtrak system, then so be it. If the Pacific Surfliners had only vending machines, I would still ride them; but I would rather have the personal service that I now get.
On the other hand, drastically reducing or eliminating food service on the LD trains would be a disaster.
I'm not familiar with the commuter rail operations in other parts of the country. Perhaps someone that is familiar with those trains could post a response. My question: Can one make a two-train, one-way trip of similar distance and cost (in the same general direction) on a single carrier in other areas?