The NEC has a speed advantage, but you gotta admit that it is the exception. On many routes, Amtrak trains are slower than Greyhounds even with stops, and sometimes the Amtrak is slower than any other alternative!
In many cases, yes, there's little time difference. But Amtrak takes 8 hours and 5 minutes, assuming full OTP, from MSP to CHI. That's as fast as Greyhound Express or Megabus, and Amtrak's putting a lot more stops in there than Megabus or Greyhound are. OMA to CHI is the same principle, though Megabus has a slight speed advantage.
And, for example, on the Hiawatha, Amtrak is much faster on a percentage basis. I'm guessing Amtrak will continue to gain advantages if congestion continues to increase.
I know I'm arguring for buses in a train forum, but I must points some things out:
1. MSP-CHI may be considered SD in train terms, but it is only served by an LDT, which is what I support anyway.
2. This route is considered LD by Greyhound Lines.
3. A Greyhound bus has larger seats and better OTP than almost any domestic flight. Wi-Fi, too. I would take the EB, I love that train, but if it's sold out or very expensive I would hop on the GLI any day before flying on a terrible 737!
1. There are proposals out for a second train on this route, which would be a SD train if that were the case.
2. ...so? While it may be "long-distance" in some respects, it's at the 400-mile mark, which isn't that terribly long.
3. I'm doubting your OTP contention. Source? Also, are airline's OTP affected by cancellations? If so, I doubt that Greyhound is beating them on OTP. Plus, I'd rather put myself on the mercy of the airlines should my flight be cancelled than be put on the mercy of Greyhound. A lot of flights offer (paid) wifi, which tends to be more reliable than bus wifi (though you are paying for it, and you can't fall back on cellular data if the wi-fi is iffy on the plane.) What's so bad about the 737, anyways? And while larger seats are nice, you're in that seat for quite a bit longer. I better be having a better seat if I'm in that seat for 8 hours with only a 20-minute stretch break (versus an hour and a half for a flight)!
Sorry, but if price was not a large consideration, the plane is going to win over the bus. Flights can be found in the $50 range from MSP to CHI fairly easily. (Southwest has a $60 sale right now for Tuesday and Wednesday flights.) If it's a business trip or time matters, I'll be taking the plane. I'll take the bus down, but I'm not trusting Greyhound anytime soon after my last failed trip.