LD "sleeper re-structuring initiative"

[Sam Damon]

Under the premise of "the only stupid question is the one you don't ask", here goes.

On page A-3.2 of the March 2007 Amtrak monthly performance report (available on the Amtrak website), mention is made:

...In March 07, the long distance sleeper re-structuring initiative called for capacity-related ticket revenue reductions of about -$410,000 in ticket revenues. These capacity reductions were generally not implemented in March.

What "long distance sleeper re-structuring initiative" does this report refer to?

Thanks, folks.

 

[Larry H.]

No expert here. I wonder if it was what the car attendant on the EB was talking about when he said that there new policy was to limit the sleepers on a train to keep it full an thus cause the price of the ticket to be the highest. Instead of adding cars as demand might otherwise dictate.

 

[AmtrakWPK]

long distance sleeper re-structuring initiative called for capacity-related ticket revenue reductions of about -$410,000 in ticket revenues

So they are DELIBERATELY implementing a plan to REDUCE their ticket revenues by $410,000, and, just incidentally, guaranteeing that they will royally pi$$ off a bunch of would-be passengers by denying them the chance to purchase a ticket, and as a further result, probably reducing ridership permanently in the long term?? We appear to have here some more "business planning" (not to be confused with "let's see how quickly we can conspire to kill off the company") coming from the south end of a northbound horse, folks who apparently have their head installed in a location where they get a headache and a sore neck whenever they sit down.

 

[AlanB]

No expert here. I wonder if it was what the car attendant on the EB was talking about when he said that there new policy was to limit the sleepers on a train to keep it full an thus cause the price of the ticket to be the highest. Instead of adding cars as demand might otherwise dictate.

First, Amtrak doesn't have extra sleeper cars to add as demand might dictate. They have enough cars to handle normal service, a few spares for when problems crop up, and to have a few cars out of service for rebuilding, mandated FRA inspections, and general repairs.

Second, if Amtrak wants to keep fares high, they don't need to cut cars to do that. They can just raise the prices as they see fit.

 

[AlanB]

Under the premise of "the only stupid question is the one you don't ask", here goes.
On page A-3.2 of the March 2007 Amtrak monthly performance report (available on the Amtrak website), mention is made:

...In March 07, the long distance sleeper re-structuring initiative called for capacity-related ticket revenue reductions of about -$410,000 in ticket revenues. These capacity reductions were generally not implemented in March.

What "long distance sleeper re-structuring initiative" does this report refer to?

Thanks, folks.

I've no idea as to what that refers to, but March wasn't the first time that notation appeared. It's been in reports since last November I believe, and the number change each month too. In December it was over $600,000.

The only thing that I can think of might be the idea to remove dorm cars from trains, but then Emmett Fremaux is on record as fighting that idea.

 

[frj1983]

This was mentioned in other places as well.

If memory serves, it was mentioned in Trains magazine sometime in late Fall. It seems odd that they would remove the Transition Dorms from the consist as 1) They are some of the newest sleepers and probably have less wear and tear on them; and 2) Why not use them as regular sleepers and fill them up? Sure it would necessitate another Sleeper Attendant, but you could easily make up his/her salary by raising the prices to pay for it(as Alan suggested above).

Glad to see that nothing has come of this short-sighted plan yet!