Just checked fares on the Cardinal for early 2012 and the sleepers are really priced high. A roomette is $381 even this far out. Bedrooms are $781.00. If thats low bucket then all I can say is Ouch!
I believe that us passengers should lobby for another sleeper on the Cardinal. Amtrak maintains 18 spare Viewliners so the equipment should be there. The only limitation might be that the Diner Lite may be strained by accomodating 30 more passengers. However, Amtrak could go with a box lunch system for the coach passengers and a sit down meal reserved for the sleeper pasengers. IMO Amtrak is leaving money on the table by running a single sleeper on the Cardinal route. It is the most scenic Viewliner route and it often sells out!
I believe that us passengers should lobby for another sleeper on the Cardinal. Amtrak maintains 18 spare Viewliners so the equipment should be there. The only limitation might be that the Diner Lite may be strained by accomodating 30 more passengers. However, Amtrak could go with a box lunch system for the coach passengers and a sit down meal reserved for the sleeper pasengers. IMO Amtrak is leaving money on the table by running a single sleeper on the Cardinal route. It is the most scenic Viewliner route and it often sells out!
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