June 09 AMTRAK performance figures

[schlimm]

In FY 2008, Cincinnati had only 15,067 people "boarding and alighting" (75 per run each way of the Cardinal).  That's a pretty low number.

Amtrak also operates one corridor train, the Hoosier State (four days per week Indianapolis-Lafayette-Chicago), which operates on the days that the Cardinal does not.  So it really isn't necessary to run a train to Cinci.  In FY 2008 34,089 passengers boarded or alighted in Indianapolis on those two trains, which is only 93/day not per train.

[henry6]

You probably have a good question...but argueing your point with me ain't gonna get an answer...put the queston to Amtrak if you want a real, difinitive answer.

[henry6]

schlimm

In FY 2008, Cincinnati had only 15,067 people "boarding and alighting" (75 per run each way of the Cardinal).  That's a pretty low number.

By whose standard?  75 per run per day from one station is pretty good for any single train...where do the people go, how far do they travel, repeat customers all, new customers everyday?  Nope, I don't think thats a bad number at all for a three times a week train.  It could double or triple if the pundits who call for such service (like me) had their way!

[schlimm]

 

henry6

By whose standard?  75 per run per day from one station is pretty good for any single train...where do the people go, how far do they travel, repeat customers all, new customers everyday?  Nope, I don't think thats a bad number at all for a three times a week train.  It could double or triple if the pundits who call for such service (like me) had their way!

I don't think there is a justification for service such as the Cardinal.

During FY08 Amtrak' Cardinal  (from Indianapolis onward to Cinci) served the following Indiana locations:

City Boardings + Alightings
Connersville 647
Indianapolis 34,089

I don't think even rail-supporting taxpayers wish to subsidize the 4 souls using the Cardinal to and from Connersville each day it runs. 

[henry6]

Sch

schlimm

 

henry6

By whose standard?  75 per run per day from one station is pretty good for any single train...where do the people go, how far do they travel, repeat customers all, new customers everyday?  Nope, I don't think thats a bad number at all for a three times a week train.  It could double or triple if the pundits who call for such service (like me) had their way!

I don't think there is a justification for service such as the Cardinal.

During FY08 Amtrak' Cardinal  (from Indianapolis onward to Cinci) served the following Indiana locations:

City Boardings + Alightings
Connersville 647
Indianapolis 34,089

I don't think even rail-supporting taxpayers wish to subsidize the 4 souls using the Cardinal to and from Connersville each day it runs. 

Schlimm, I don't know what  your ;background is.  A lot of people unfamiliar with transportation services often come to the conclusions you do.  But those operating know why they do what they do and what results they expect to be able to live with.  I have heard some rail against 8, 10, and 12 car commuter trains leaving or arriving at far terminals empty but don't realize the insidiousness of picking up or dropping cars at every station; they rarely see the train arrving at city terminal fully loaded.  I know when I ran daisey picker specials I set and knew my break even point, so I do understand some about this, but not enough to say that what I say is gospel. I do, however, feel that the Cardinal numbers as presented, while not great, are not ones to chop off the train for.  Ever been out on the interstate in the country ata 3AM?  Nobody there, so why maintain it?  That's not the answer there either.

[schlimm]

Henry:  Your comparison with a commuter run is apples and oranges.  The numbers speak for themselves. Anyway you look at it, very few people (75) ride a train like the Cardinal.  If we had unlimited funding, maybe we could preserve a train like that.  But we do not and there are other cities that we could serve with new or more service.  For example:  in Illinois, there are 9 cities (NOT including Chicago) with more boardings and alightings than Indianapolis, such as Champaign with 151,732 or Bloomington with 180,589 or even Quincy with 50,298.  This is the way things work in business and in the public sector at universities (both in my background).  If I offered a class and less than 20 enrolled (out of a capacity of 35) it got cancelled.  rationing resources based on demand is part of many systems, capitalistic and other.

[henry6]

schlimm

In FY 2008, Cincinnati had only 15,067 people "boarding and alighting" (75 per run each way of the Cardinal).  That's a pretty low number.

.

These are your numbers...15,067 in Cincinatti in FY1008 and 75 each way or 150 total per day.  That, in service terms is good enough to continue and even expand service in my estimation.  Again, I don't know your expertise in this subject, whether you work in transportation and markting or not, so I don't know how to answer you or how to accept your statements.  If you are in the business, run trains or taxi cabs, or buses, I can, and will, accept what you say without arguement.

[schlimm]

Henry:  I apologize for a lack of documentation.  These figures were from the Amtrak passenger website, under "News and Media" then "State Fact Sheets" (Indiana and Illinois).  My background is academia and healthcare (clinical psychologist) but I worked in management in retailing before going for my doctorate.  But I've been a rail buff since the 1950's growing up in west suburban Chicago.  You have much more knowledge than I in this area but all of us (oltmannd, sam1, blue streak, Paul M., etc.) have perspectives that are valuable.