New Amtrak Routes

[Karl Lagos]

Originally Posted by TheProf

The fact that private developers -- who originally built the nation's rail network 150+ years ago -- are coming back to passenger rail, such as Sir. Richard Branson (Brightline) and others, show rail travel is not only desirable but desired by a significant portion of America's populous. Train travel for 350-400 miles or less, is competitive to both cars and planes (where, often, 50% or more of your travel time is eaten up negotiating airport security, getting to the airport, slow boarding, runway delays, etc.). Trains take you directly to, or near, the center of cities where, now, Uber and Lyft are viable extensions of the trains which give quick, direct, intimate car connections -- without their owning or having to dispose of the car.

This is why Ohio and the North Central/Great Lakes Midwest is so ripe for expanded passenger rail service. And we won't even talk about the roomier, more comfortable, more flexible passenger service trains provide over planes and even inter-city buses (although MegaBus has forced Greyhound to up its game in recent years with better quality buses). Still, trains are the best for these shorter, more high-density trips which, of course, is why the Northeast US has been able to maintain such a high level of electrified (somewhat) European-style service.

Yeah Miami connecting to Orlando seems reasonable. This has been covered. They had 2.2 million passengers last year and lost 200 million. It's likely the most visited state for tourism in the US. There isn't demand up North here. Also all you need is 1 bomb on a train and the lax security measures ago away.

[kpl1228]

Originally Posted by TheProf

And look at New Mexico. The RailRunner is a 90-odd commuter rail line connecting Albuquerque and Santa Fe, to small cities in a low population state. And dinosaurs in Ohio act like, somehow, it can't happen here?

Geeze.

Former Clevelander now living in NM here.
The RailRunner is far underutilized, they've closed one stop in Santa Fe, it's clean and efficient and fun, the organization and local PR have been terrific, but numbers outside of a few stops are quite low. It was set for expansion to towns south, which did not happen. And will not, I fear.
I'm impressed with it, but the schedule makes it almost like the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad. Its identity in NM is kind of schizophrenic. Is it a tourist train? Is it a commuter train like the RTA Red Line? Does it have statewide potential?
It's been a decade and the jury is still out.
Basically, the stops are safe and clean, and the marketing in the community is beyond solid. It's fun for me because I like trains and take them whenever I can. But that's not enough to have a successful business model, subsidized or not. The RailRunner has been disappointing in many ways: it has so much more potential.

[TheProf]

Originally Posted by Karl Lagos

Yeah Miami connecting to Orlando seems reasonable. This has been covered. They had 2.2 million passengers last year and lost 200 million. It's likely the most visited state for tourism in the US. There isn't demand up North here. Also all you need is 1 bomb on a train and the lax security measures ago away.

I'm not just talking about the Miami-to-Orlando service, but Brightline's new planned LA-to-Las Vegas fully electrified high-speed line which is now in development. The rail haters are poo-pooing the Houston-to-Dallas Texas private industry initiative, but this also seems promising; if they can get all these stupid lawsuits against them dismissed. These are all the high-density, shorter-distance routes that have the best potential for success. Brightline could also extend farther up the Florida east coast to connect Daytona Beach and Jacksonville with Miami and Orlando.

[Karl Lagos]

Originally Posted by TheProf

I'm not just talking about the Miami-to-Orlando service, but Brightline's new planned LA-to-Las Vegas fully electrified high-speed line which is now in development. The rail haters are poo-pooing the Houston-to-Dallas Texas private industry initiative, but this also seems promising; if they can get all these stupid lawsuits against them dismissed. These are all the high-density, shorter-distance routes that have the best potential for success. Brightline could also extend farther up the Florida east coast to connect Daytona Beach and Jacksonville with Miami and Orlando.

That's great. Vegas is chock full of Los Angelenos, especially on weekends. Lots of them own 2nd homes in Vegas.