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"The Lincoln Service between Chicago and Saint Louis has pretty good loadings with more deeply discounted fares than the Hiawathas.  The 1-way fare to Springfield, IL is only $18, less than to Milwaukee while almost 100 miles farther; and a 10-ride is only $170.  The 1-way fare for #301 to St Louis is $32 and only $23 for #303, #305 & #307 despite being almost 200 miles farther than to Milwaukee.  By comparison, gas would cost about $12 one way to Springfield and about $19 to St Louis.  At $4/gal the train was actually cheaper." A pretty good loading requires definition.  In FY 2008 the average load percentage on the <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Lincoln</st1:place></st1:City> service was 45.5 per cent.  Undoubtedly, it was probably higher from train to train and for segments closer to <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Chicago</st1:place></st1:City>.  Having ridden this line numerous times, I have noted that the load is pretty light south of <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Springfield</st1:place></st1:City>.  <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>The key cost comparison is not the cost of gasoline.  It is the fully allocated cost of driving.  And it will vary significantly depending on the car.  For example, it would cost me $73.18 to drive from <st1:City w:st="on">Chicago</st1:City> to <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">St. Louis</st1:place></st1:City>.  Thus, for one person, who did not need to rent a car at the end point, going by train is a good deal.  But as soon as multiple persons are added to the equation, along with the need to rent a car, the advantage for the train is reduced or eliminated.<o:p></o:p> According to Amtrak, the average fare for travel on February 15th between <st1:City w:st="on">Chicago</st1:City> and <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">St. Louis</st1:place></st1:City> is $50.33.  The $23 fare only applies to the early morning departure.
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