Re: Bicycle on Amtrak?

Is the limo liner some type of bus?

==========================
"bdbafh" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Scott Gordo said:

I'm planning a trip from NYC up to Boston next week, and by taking the
train I'm hoping to bring a bike along as a freebie.

Most of the info I've found about bikes on board says it's free, but
it sounds like the bike has been boxed for shipping and then put on
board as cargo. I don't mind boxing her up, but if I could avoid it I
would. Especially if that means giving it to a baggage handler.

For local NJ Suburban trains, I can bring a bike on board and secure
it to certain areas without seats that are made for larger cargo. Roll
it on, anchor it to a wall using a bungee, and it's good to go.

Can I do that on Amtrak? Or do I need to box her up?

TIA.

Scott

Check out the LimoLiner.

http://www.limoliner.com

They have fewer trips per day, but plenty of storage and no surcharge
for bikes (last time I checked).
As someone that is not vertically challenged, I like the legroom on
either Amtrak or Limo Liner.

Ever try taking a bike on the NJTransit NE Corridor on a Friday after
off-peak have started? Plan on using a long time window, as conductors
will say "wait for the next train" if its the least bit crowded.
You're far better off to pick an end of the train (rear) further from
conductors so that you can already board before they start in on you.

Note: this is not LIVEDRUNK approved, as no alcohol is permitted
onboard the Limo Liner.

-bdbafh

"Sir Thomas of Cannondale" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:uzJDi.12369$tB2.6844@trndny05...

Quoted message said:

Is the limo liner some type of bus?

Yes.
http://hincapie.blogspot.com/Resize%20Wizard-1.jpg

http://hincapie.blogspot.com/tourbus1-800px.jpg

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Check out the LimoLiner.

http://www.limoliner.com

They have fewer trips per day, but plenty of storage and no surcharge
for bikes (last time I checked).
As someone that is not vertically challenged, I like the legroom on
either Amtrak or Limo Liner.

Ever try taking a bike on the NJTransit NE Corridor on a Friday after
off-peak have started? Plan on using a long time window, as conductors
will say "wait for the next train" if its the least bit crowded.
You're far better off to pick an end of the train (rear) further from
conductors so that you can already board before they start in on you.

Note: this is not LIVEDRUNK approved, as no alcohol is permitted
onboard the Limo Liner.

-bdbafh

Amtrak ,, and bicycles.

This is a subject that has been written about on and off for years.

First; Amtrak sucks. It is a government creation run by hacks, for hacks,
with no regard to the masses.

The short distance trains are really just commuter rail. The long distance
trains are "tourist" trips.

It is one more reason to drive yourself nuts. The USA,, one totally F'kd up
country.

A passenger train system that doesn't carry bicycles that aren't in boxes?
Duh?

In many cities the public buses have bicycle hangers on the front of the
bus. You put your bicycle on the rack, load on the bus and go.

Yet; Amtrak .. a rail line which is paid for by the US taxpayers can't
figure out how to carry a freaking bicycle?

The USA sucks.. sorry about my feelings and I do live here but it still
sucks.

======================================================================
"bdbafh" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Scott Gordo said:

I'm planning a trip from NYC up to Boston next week, and by taking the
train I'm hoping to bring a bike along as a freebie.

Most of the info I've found about bikes on board says it's free, but
it sounds like the bike has been boxed for shipping and then put on
board as cargo. I don't mind boxing her up, but if I could avoid it I
would. Especially if that means giving it to a baggage handler.

For local NJ Suburban trains, I can bring a bike on board and secure
it to certain areas without seats that are made for larger cargo. Roll
it on, anchor it to a wall using a bungee, and it's good to go.

Can I do that on Amtrak? Or do I need to box her up?

TIA.

Scott

Check out the LimoLiner.

http://www.limoliner.com

They have fewer trips per day, but plenty of storage and no surcharge
for bikes (last time I checked).
As someone that is not vertically challenged, I like the legroom on
either Amtrak or Limo Liner.

Ever try taking a bike on the NJTransit NE Corridor on a Friday after
off-peak have started? Plan on using a long time window, as conductors
will say "wait for the next train" if its the least bit crowded.
You're far better off to pick an end of the train (rear) further from
conductors so that you can already board before they start in on you.

Note: this is not LIVEDRUNK approved, as no alcohol is permitted
onboard the Limo Liner.

-bdbafh

On Sep 6, 9:55 am, "Sir Thomas of Cannondale" <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

Amtrak ,, and bicycles.

This is a subject that has been written about on and off for years.

First; Amtrak sucks. It is a government creation run by hacks, for hacks,
with no regard to the masses.

The short distance trains are really just commuter rail. The long distance
trains are "tourist" trips.

It is one more reason to drive yourself nuts. The USA,, one totally F'kd up
country.

A passenger train system that doesn't carry bicycles that aren't in boxes?
Duh?

In many cities the public buses have bicycle hangers on the front of the
bus. You put your bicycle on the rack, load on the bus and go.

Yet; Amtrak .. a rail line which is paid for by the US taxpayers can't
figure out how to carry a freaking bicycle?

The USA sucks.. sorry about my feelings and I do live here but it still
sucks.

======================================================================"bdbafh" <[email hidden]> wrote in message

news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Scott Gordo said:

I'm planning a trip from NYC up to Boston next week, and by taking the
train I'm hoping to bring a bike along as a freebie.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Most of the info I've found about bikes on board says it's free, but
it sounds like the bike has been boxed for shipping and then put on
board as cargo. I don't mind boxing her up, but if I could avoid it I
would. Especially if that means giving it to a baggage handler.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

For local NJ Suburban trains, I can bring a bike on board and secure
it to certain areas without seats that are made for larger cargo. Roll
it on, anchor it to a wall using a bungee, and it's good to go.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Can I do that on Amtrak? Or do I need to box her up?

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

TIA.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Scott

Quoted message said:

Check out the LimoLiner.

Quoted message said:

http://www.limoliner.com

Quoted message said:

They have fewer trips per day, but plenty of storage and no surcharge
for bikes (last time I checked).
As someone that is not vertically challenged, I like the legroom on
either Amtrak or Limo Liner.

Quoted message said:

Ever try taking a bike on the NJTransit NE Corridor on a Friday after
off-peak have started? Plan on using a long time window, as conductors
will say "wait for the next train" if its the least bit crowded.
You're far better off to pick an end of the train (rear) further from
conductors so that you can already board before they start in on you.

Quoted message said:

Note: this is not LIVEDRUNK approved, as no alcohol is permitted
onboard the Limo Liner.

Quoted message said:

-bdbafh- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

In article <EFTDi.9672$pm2.6243@trndny08>, [email hidden] says...

Quoted message said:

Amtrak ,, and bicycles.

This is a subject that has been written about on and off for years.

First; Amtrak sucks. It is a government creation run by hacks, for hacks,
with no regard to the masses.

The short distance trains are really just commuter rail. The long distance
trains are "tourist" trips.

It is one more reason to drive yourself nuts. The USA,, one totally F'kd up
country.

A passenger train system that doesn't carry bicycles that aren't in boxes?
Duh?

Well, wrong, it does.

Quoted message said:

In many cities the public buses have bicycle hangers on the front of the
bus. You put your bicycle on the rack, load on the bus and go.

Yet; Amtrak .. a rail line which is paid for by the US taxpayers can't
figure out how to carry a freaking bicycle?

There are several options for carrying a bike onto Amtrak. However, just
like some European countries, France in particular, not every train, such
as some express/local trains and TGV (bike has to be packed in a housse)
will carry bikes as a RORO or in a box. At least if you use the Amtrak
baggage car, you can get your bike when you arrive rather than days later
as in France.

Quoted message said:

The USA sucks.. sorry about my feelings and I do live here but it still
sucks.

Quoted message said:

Ever try taking a bike on the NJTransit NE Corridor on a Friday after
off-peak have started? Plan on using a long time window, as conductors
will say "wait for the next train" if its the least bit crowded.
You're far better off to pick an end of the train (rear) further from
conductors so that you can already board before they start in on you.

Most European express/locals have similar restrictions.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Note: this is not LIVEDRUNK approved, as no alcohol is permitted
onboard the Limo Liner.

-bdbafh

RBrickston said:

In article <EFTDi.9672$pm2.6243@trndny08>, [email hidden] says...

Quoted message said:

Amtrak ,, and bicycles.

Quoted message said:

This is a subject that has been written about on and off for years.

Quoted message said:

First; Amtrak sucks. It is a government creation run by hacks, for hacks,
with no regard to the masses.

Quoted message said:

The short distance trains are really just commuter rail. The long distance
trains are "tourist" trips.

Quoted message said:

It is one more reason to drive yourself nuts. The USA,, one totally F'kd up
country.

Quoted message said:

A passenger train system that doesn't carry bicycles that aren't in boxes?
Duh?

Well, wrong, it does.

Quoted message said:

In many cities the public buses have bicycle hangers on the front of the
bus. You put your bicycle on the rack, load on the bus and go.

Quoted message said:

Yet; Amtrak .. a rail line which is paid for by the US taxpayers can't
figure out how to carry a freaking bicycle?

There are several options for carrying a bike onto Amtrak. However, just
like some European countries, France in particular, not every train, such
as some express/local trains and TGV (bike has to be packed in a housse)
will carry bikes as a RORO or in a box. At least if you use the Amtrak
baggage car, you can get your bike when you arrive rather than days later
as in France.

Quoted message said:

The USA sucks.. sorry about my feelings and I do live here but it still
sucks.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Ever try taking a bike on the NJTransit NE Corridor on a Friday after
off-peak have started? Plan on using a long time window, as conductors
will say "wait for the next train" if its the least bit crowded.
You're far better off to pick an end of the train (rear) further from
conductors so that you can already board before they start in on you.

Most European express/locals have similar restrictions.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Note: this is not LIVEDRUNK approved, as no alcohol is permitted
onboard the Limo Liner.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

-bdbafh- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

I'd say "near-willful ignorance is the worst American trait", but I
was the one too lazy to track down your link from the earlier post....

I booked my Acela ticket online yesterday, without tacking on the
additional bike cost. I guess I'll call Amtrak and find out what to
do.

/s

Scott Gordo said:

RBrickston said:

In article <EFTDi.9672$pm2.6243@trndny08>, [email hidden] says...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Amtrak ,, and bicycles.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

This is a subject that has been written about on and off for years.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

First; Amtrak sucks. It is a government creation run by hacks, for hacks,
with no regard to the masses.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

The short distance trains are really just commuter rail. The long distance
trains are "tourist" trips.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

It is one more reason to drive yourself nuts. The USA,, one totally F'kd up
country.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

A passenger train system that doesn't carry bicycles that aren't in boxes?
Duh?

Quoted message said:

Well, wrong, it does.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

In many cities the public buses have bicycle hangers on the front of the
bus. You put your bicycle on the rack, load on the bus and go.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Yet; Amtrak .. a rail line which is paid for by the US taxpayers can't
figure out how to carry a freaking bicycle?

Quoted message said:

There are several options for carrying a bike onto Amtrak. However, just
like some European countries, France in particular, not every train, such
as some express/local trains and TGV (bike has to be packed in a housse)
will carry bikes as a RORO or in a box. At least if you use the Amtrak
baggage car, you can get your bike when you arrive rather than days later
as in France.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

The USA sucks.. sorry about my feelings and I do live here but it still
sucks.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

> Ever try taking a bike on the NJTransit NE Corridor on a Friday after
> off-peak have started? Plan on using a long time window, as conductors
> will say "wait for the next train" if its the least bit crowded.
> You're far better off to pick an end of the train (rear) further from
> conductors so that you can already board before they start in on you.

Quoted message said:

Most European express/locals have similar restrictions.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

> Note: this is not LIVEDRUNK approved, as no alcohol is permitted
> onboard the Limo Liner.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

> -bdbafh- Hide quoted text -

Quoted message said:

- Show quoted text -

I'd say "near-willful ignorance is the worst American trait", but I
was the one too lazy to track down your link from the earlier post....

I booked my Acela ticket online yesterday, without tacking on the
additional bike cost. I guess I'll call Amtrak and find out what to
do.

/s

Amtrak must be schizophrenic because I've taken my bike on one twice
this Summer without a box, or extra charge. One was from Santa
Barbara to Anaheim and the other San Diego to Anaheim. They (the
employees) were really cool and accomodating about it in each case as
well.

JD

West Coast ...

On the West Coast the world is different.

But ,, remember.. Someone in Ohio, or Penn or Iowa who never would ever use
a train is paying for that F'n Amtrak ride ..

===========
"JD" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Scott Gordo said:

RBrickston said:

In article <EFTDi.9672$pm2.6243@trndny08>, [email hidden] says...

Quoted message said:

> Amtrak ,, and bicycles.

Quoted message said:

> This is a subject that has been written about on and off for years.

Quoted message said:

> First; Amtrak sucks. It is a government creation run by hacks, for
> hacks,
> with no regard to the masses.

Quoted message said:

> The short distance trains are really just commuter rail. The long
> distance
> trains are "tourist" trips.

Quoted message said:

> It is one more reason to drive yourself nuts. The USA,, one totally
> F'kd up
> country.

Quoted message said:

> A passenger train system that doesn't carry bicycles that aren't in
> boxes?
> Duh?

Quoted message said:

Well, wrong, it does.

Quoted message said:

> In many cities the public buses have bicycle hangers on the front of
> the
> bus. You put your bicycle on the rack, load on the bus and go.

Quoted message said:

> Yet; Amtrak .. a rail line which is paid for by the US taxpayers
> can't
> figure out how to carry a freaking bicycle?

Quoted message said:

There are several options for carrying a bike onto Amtrak. However,
just
like some European countries, France in particular, not every train,
such
as some express/local trains and TGV (bike has to be packed in a
housse)
will carry bikes as a RORO or in a box. At least if you use the Amtrak
baggage car, you can get your bike when you arrive rather than days
later
as in France.

Quoted message said:

> The USA sucks.. sorry about my feelings and I do live here but it
> still
> sucks.

Quoted message said:

> > Ever try taking a bike on the NJTransit NE Corridor on a Friday
> > after
> > off-peak have started? Plan on using a long time window, as
> > conductors
> > will say "wait for the next train" if its the least bit crowded.
> > You're far better off to pick an end of the train (rear) further
> > from
> > conductors so that you can already board before they start in on
> > you.

Quoted message said:

Most European express/locals have similar restrictions.

Quoted message said:

> > Note: this is not LIVEDRUNK approved, as no alcohol is permitted
> > onboard the Limo Liner.

Quoted message said:

> > -bdbafh- Hide quoted text -

Quoted message said:

- Show quoted text -

I'd say "near-willful ignorance is the worst American trait", but I
was the one too lazy to track down your link from the earlier post....

I booked my Acela ticket online yesterday, without tacking on the
additional bike cost. I guess I'll call Amtrak and find out what to
do.

/s

Amtrak must be schizophrenic because I've taken my bike on one twice
this Summer without a box, or extra charge. One was from Santa
Barbara to Anaheim and the other San Diego to Anaheim. They (the
employees) were really cool and accomodating about it in each case as
well.

JD

On Sep 8, 5:15 pm, "Sir Thomas of Cannondale" <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

West Coast ...

On the West Coast the world is different.

But ,, remember.. Someone in Ohio, or Penn or Iowa who never would ever use
a train is paying for that F'n Amtrak ride ..

Yeah, then those fools need to get the hell out of their cages and
ride the train once in a while.

JD

"Sir Thomas of Cannondale" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:VWGEi.2905$jn3.328@trndny05...

Quoted message said:

West Coast ...

On the West Coast the world is different.

But ,, remember.. Someone in Ohio, or Penn or Iowa who never would ever
use a train is paying for that F'n Amtrak ride ..

And someone on the west coast is paying when there is flooding or a tornado
in the Midwest.

"JD" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

On Sep 8, 5:15 pm, "Sir Thomas of Cannondale" <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

West Coast ...

On the West Coast the world is different.

But ,, remember.. Someone in Ohio, or Penn or Iowa who never would ever
use
a train is paying for that F'n Amtrak ride ..

Yeah, then those fools need to get the hell out of their cages and
ride the train once in a while.

In those fools defense, they get stuck with some pretty lousy schedules for
the train service that is offered.

Carl Sundquist said:

"JD" <[email hidden]> wrote in message

news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

On Sep 8, 5:15 pm, "Sir Thomas of Cannondale" <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

West Coast ...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

On the West Coast the world is different.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

But ,, remember.. Someone in Ohio, or Penn or Iowa who never would ever
use
a train is paying for that F'n Amtrak ride ..

Quoted message said:

Yeah, then those fools need to get the hell out of their cages and
ride the train once in a while.

In those fools defense, they get stuck with some pretty lousy schedules for
the train service that is offered.

So, if those fools decide to head somewhere for the weekend, they
can't hop a train instead of jumping in their car? Two of the best
long distance rides I have done on the road bike this tear were to a
destination and then return on the train. Excuses are like [censored],
everyone has one and the midwest houses some rather large ones.

JD

On Sep 8, 7:15 pm, "Sir Thomas of Cannondale" <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

West Coast ...

On the West Coast the world is different.

But ,, remember.. Someone in Ohio, or Penn or Iowa who never would ever use
a train is paying for that F'n Amtrak ride ..

That's a load of [censored]. In the first place, contrary to widespread
ignorant belief, _generally_ speaking it is the coasts' federal tax
dollars that subsidize the middle. Second, "Penn" benefits from trains
a lot. It is in the NW Corridor.Third, the NW corridor from DC to
Boston is the closest thing there is in the US to self funding
passenger rail (outside of maybe the autotrain from VA to FL).
Finally, most US citizens do not want their train service eliminated
(although you could probably talk them into eliminating someone
else's), and I'm guessing that probably includes even Iowa, whose
train service is more costly to subsidize than the NW Corridor.

"JD" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Carl Sundquist said:

"JD" <[email hidden]> wrote in message

news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

On Sep 8, 5:15 pm, "Sir Thomas of Cannondale" <[email hidden]>
wrote:
> West Coast ...

Quoted message said:

> On the West Coast the world is different.

Quoted message said:

> But ,, remember.. Someone in Ohio, or Penn or Iowa who never would
> ever
> use
> a train is paying for that F'n Amtrak ride ..

Quoted message said:

Yeah, then those fools need to get the hell out of their cages and
ride the train once in a while.

In those fools defense, they get stuck with some pretty lousy schedules
for
the train service that is offered.

So, if those fools decide to head somewhere for the weekend, they
can't hop a train instead of jumping in their car? Two of the best
long distance rides I have done on the road bike this tear were to a
destination and then return on the train. Excuses are like [censored],
everyone has one and the midwest houses some rather large ones.

Let me give you a dose of reality.

The closest train service to me is in Little Rock, Arkansas. They have one
departure scheduled (emphasis on scheduled, not reality) at 11:34 PM going
north to St Louis & Chicago and a departure south to Dallas & San Antonio
scheduled at 3:10 AM. That is the only passenger service going through the
state. According to the schedule it is a daily service, but when I took it
to Chicago earlier this summer, it was only 3x/week. Due to the ownership of
the rails by the freight companies, Amtrak trains are very rarely on time,
frequently 2-4 hours late. As a means of business travel in this part of the
country this is essentially impractical, leaving ridership to passengers
with more flexible schedules.

I have to drive 150 miles just to get to the Little Rock station. Tulsa, OK
is somewhat closer, but offers only bus service, no train service. I could
ride my bike to the station, but under the time limitations for the trip my
11 year old daughter obviously could not (actually, under the time
limitations of leaving work at 5 and being at the train station by 11, I
couldn't have made it either).

As I said, I rode the train this summer (also commuter rail around the
Boston area) and won't hesitate to use it again, but to do so requires much
more planning than jumping in the car.

Look at Amtrak's route atlas
http://tickets.amtrak.com/secure/content/atlas/index.html. Laughingly
threadbare, especially if you omit the green bus service lines. If you live
in the upper plains states, what are you supposedto do? Move just to ride
the train? If you have the power to increase the passenger train line
network and frequency, I'll take a train trip out to the west coast to shake
your hand. In the meantime, don't be an ass and castigate people who live in
less dense areas for their lack of ridership.

My point: there is no train in most of the USA.

Amtrak is a government creation, therefore it does not care to make money.

If trains could be used more like buses [ obviously because of tracks etc,
not quite the same ] then more people would
take the train.

When I was a kid, there was train service from the city I grew up in to
Boston. In the late 60's, early 70's, the train stopped running.

There isn't even commuter rail now.

Amtrak is very expensive... the average person isn't going to pay the same
or more for a train ticket than an airplane ticket.

I just took a look at Amtrak's rail map. There isn't even a train from
Boston to Montreal.

What this means for the average American is this; no train.

If the service can't be available to more, then it should be abandoned. The
long distance trains are nothing but tourist trains, and very expensive.

Just for fun, I did an Amtrak schedule/fare search; Boston to Chicago.

The fare? $80 dollars one way.
The time to get there? 18 hours!

First the train goes to Washington, DC.. then on the Chicago.

And you wonder why people aren't riding the train?

"JD" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

On Sep 8, 5:15 pm, "Sir Thomas of Cannondale" <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

West Coast ...

On the West Coast the world is different.

But ,, remember.. Someone in Ohio, or Penn or Iowa who never would ever
use
a train is paying for that F'n Amtrak ride ..

Yeah, then those fools need to get the hell out of their cages and
ride the train once in a while.

JD

OKkk,,, if it is so great, and all..

Why doesn't the train service become a private business just like Southwest
Airlines,etc.

The only one full of [censored] is you.

Any half wit can see that Amtrak is a government waste of mony.

Does the government run the bus lines? Such as Greyhound?

Taxi service?

Whenever the government is involved we can be sure it will be a big waste of
money.

I'd like to see the Walmart Express.

=======================
<[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

On Sep 8, 7:15 pm, "Sir Thomas of Cannondale" <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

West Coast ...

On the West Coast the world is different.

But ,, remember.. Someone in Ohio, or Penn or Iowa who never would ever
use
a train is paying for that F'n Amtrak ride ..

That's a load of [censored]. In the first place, contrary to widespread
ignorant belief, _generally_ speaking it is the coasts' federal tax
dollars that subsidize the middle. Second, "Penn" benefits from trains
a lot. It is in the NW Corridor.Third, the NW corridor from DC to
Boston is the closest thing there is in the US to self funding
passenger rail (outside of maybe the autotrain from VA to FL).
Finally, most US citizens do not want their train service eliminated
(although you could probably talk them into eliminating someone
else's), and I'm guessing that probably includes even Iowa, whose
train service is more costly to subsidize than the NW Corridor.

In article <VCTEi.1832$Ic3.757@trndny09>, [email hidden] says...

Quoted message said:

My point: there is no train in most of the USA.

Amtrak is a government creation, therefore it does not care to make money.

If trains could be used more like buses [ obviously because of tracks etc,
not quite the same ] then more people would
take the train.

When I was a kid, there was train service from the city I grew up in to
Boston. In the late 60's, early 70's, the train stopped running.

There isn't even commuter rail now.

Amtrak is very expensive... the average person isn't going to pay the same
or more for a train ticket than an airplane ticket.

I just took a look at Amtrak's rail map. There isn't even a train from
Boston to Montreal.

Sure there is. You have to go to Albany and then Montreal.

Quoted message said:

What this means for the average American is this; no train.

If the service can't be available to more, then it should be abandoned. The
long distance trains are nothing but tourist trains, and very expensive.

Just for fun, I did an Amtrak schedule/fare search; Boston to Chicago.

The fare? $80 dollars one way.
The time to get there? 18 hours!

First the train goes to Washington, DC.. then on the Chicago.

And you wonder why people aren't riding the train?

"JD" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

On Sep 8, 5:15 pm, "Sir Thomas of Cannondale" <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

West Coast ...

On the West Coast the world is different.

But ,, remember.. Someone in Ohio, or Penn or Iowa who never would ever
use
a train is paying for that F'n Amtrak ride ..

Yeah, then those fools need to get the hell out of their cages and
ride the train once in a while.

JD

Quoted message said:

On Sep 8, 7:15 pm, "Sir Thomas of Cannondale" <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

West Coast ...

On the West Coast the world is different.

But ,, remember.. Someone in Ohio, or Penn or Iowa who never would ever
use a train is paying for that F'n Amtrak ride ..

That's a load of [censored]. In the first place, contrary to widespread
ignorant belief, _generally_ speaking it is the coasts' federal tax
dollars that subsidize the middle.

And furthermore... Amtrak's biggest expenses are employess and diesel fuel.
A major chunk of the money paid to employees goes back to the government as
income taxes. When Amtrak buys diesel fuel, the taxes on it also goes back
to the government. Factor these two things in, and Amtrak doesn't really
get any subsidy at all.

This won't stop the Repugnikans from claiming otherwise, unfortunately.

--
Bob Broughton
http://broughton.ca/
Vancouver, BC, Canada
"There is no rational, moral or economic argument for the continuation
of the manufacture, sale or use of smoking tobacco."
- Robert Starkey, http://smokefreerevolution.org/, 03/18/2007

"Robert Broughton" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

On Sep 8, 7:15 pm, "Sir Thomas of Cannondale" <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

West Coast ...

On the West Coast the world is different.

But ,, remember.. Someone in Ohio, or Penn or Iowa who never would ever
use a train is paying for that F'n Amtrak ride ..

That's a load of [censored]. In the first place, contrary to widespread
ignorant belief, _generally_ speaking it is the coasts' federal tax
dollars that subsidize the middle.

And furthermore... Amtrak's biggest expenses are employess and diesel
fuel.
A major chunk of the money paid to employees goes back to the government
as
income taxes. When Amtrak buys diesel fuel, the taxes on it also goes back
to the government. Factor these two things in, and Amtrak doesn't really
get any subsidy at all.

This won't stop the Repugnikans from claiming otherwise, unfortunately.

Are you sure Amtrak pays tax on the diesel? I'd be surprised if they weren't
tax exempt. School buses and mail trucks, likewise.