Oldsmoboi
OBS Chief
- Joined
- Jan 3, 2011
- Messages
- 589
One of the anti-Amtrak guys on the website I run likes to point out that the Cap Ltd only makes about 50% of what it costs to run.
Here is my Guest_USrail21_* style idea to "fix" it:
The Capitol Ltd is an example of losing money due to lack of service density. This route was selling out regularly over the summer, but because several of the stations are not shared with any other train, the overhead costs are very high. I'm working off of memory here, but if I recall correctly, Pittsburgh is the only station between Frederick MD and Cleveland Ohio that the Capitol Ltd. shares with any other train, (The Pennsylvanian to PHL and NYC).
Where Amtrak has improved service density, they have improved profitability as well. Studies have shown over and over (not just for Amtrak, for any long distance transit system), that 3 departures and arrivals daily is the magic number where ridership starts to increase dramatically.
When they added a 3rd train to the routes in North Carolina, all three trips started carrying more passengers each. Every time they have added service on the Keystone, ridership increases for all trains.
On the Capitol Ltd. The only departure from Chicago is 6:10pm and that gets you into Cleveland at around 3am. What Clevelander would want to do that? It gets me into Pittsburgh at 5 am and only because of the special circumstance of the location of my office is that a good thing for me. Departing from Pittsburgh to DC is an equally unfun 5am.
In order to get closer to profitability, the Capitol needs a 7 am, 1pm, and 6pm departure from both Chicago and D.C..
To do this, they'd need about $50 million to purchase the Superliners and Genesii, plus hiring staff and a blessing from NS and CSX. Other than that.... totally doable!
P.S. - This is a slightly edited copy/paste from my website, but it is in a private forum that can't be read by the general public.
Here is my Guest_USrail21_* style idea to "fix" it:
The Capitol Ltd is an example of losing money due to lack of service density. This route was selling out regularly over the summer, but because several of the stations are not shared with any other train, the overhead costs are very high. I'm working off of memory here, but if I recall correctly, Pittsburgh is the only station between Frederick MD and Cleveland Ohio that the Capitol Ltd. shares with any other train, (The Pennsylvanian to PHL and NYC).
Where Amtrak has improved service density, they have improved profitability as well. Studies have shown over and over (not just for Amtrak, for any long distance transit system), that 3 departures and arrivals daily is the magic number where ridership starts to increase dramatically.
When they added a 3rd train to the routes in North Carolina, all three trips started carrying more passengers each. Every time they have added service on the Keystone, ridership increases for all trains.
On the Capitol Ltd. The only departure from Chicago is 6:10pm and that gets you into Cleveland at around 3am. What Clevelander would want to do that? It gets me into Pittsburgh at 5 am and only because of the special circumstance of the location of my office is that a good thing for me. Departing from Pittsburgh to DC is an equally unfun 5am.
In order to get closer to profitability, the Capitol needs a 7 am, 1pm, and 6pm departure from both Chicago and D.C..
To do this, they'd need about $50 million to purchase the Superliners and Genesii, plus hiring staff and a blessing from NS and CSX. Other than that.... totally doable!
P.S. - This is a slightly edited copy/paste from my website, but it is in a private forum that can't be read by the general public.