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Comparing the cost of flying from Chicago to Minot or other smaller communities  locations was just an example. To get a clear picture of all the cost comparisons one would have to cobble together hundreds of point pairs to get a complete picture.  And he would need to include all modes of transport. Clearly, in many instances taking surface transportation from relatively close communities is more cost effective than flying, especially if one does not factor in a value to time. From Spokane to Minot on the Empire costs $158.  A flight on Frontier would cost $162.90.  And a trip on Greyhound would be $99.  The cost to fly from Spokane to Williston would be $295.77. The cost of a coach seat on the Builder would be $145.   Amtrak gets a direct cash subsidy from the federal government for each Builder passenger. The average subsidy in FY12 was 14.8 cents per passenger mile. Thus, from Spokane to Minot the subsidy was $138.97, whilst from Spokane to Minot it was $121.06.  When added to the Builder's fares, the cost jumps from $158 and $145 to $296.97 and $266.06.   In FY11 29,920 passengers got on or off the Builder in Williston. In FY12 the number was 54,324 or an increase of  81.6 per cent.  Amtrak's station activity numbers show passengers getting on and off the train. Thus, the average number of people getting off the Builder in Williston in was 20 per day in FY11 and 37 per day in FY12.  Amtrak does not disclose the demographics for the people riding the Empire Builder, other than to say that a high percentage of its long distance train passengers are seniors.  How many of them were oil field workers is unknown. Undoubtedly, some oil field workers are taking the train.  And the number has increased. Unless one takes a valid statistic sample of the people getting off the Empire Builder at the "oil field" stops, how many of them are oil field workers remains unknown. The larger question is what percentage of the oil field workers travel to the "oil fields" by the Empire Builder? If Amtrak had a solid case for increasing the capacity of the Empire Builder, it could go to its lenders and secure quickly funding for additional equipment.  Until the new or refurbished cars were available, it probably could use a car off the Auto Train for the summer months or the coverage car that is spotted in San Antonio to for a late running Sunset Limited or a similar car in Fort Worth for the Heartland Flyer. It could even run special trains if there was enough demand for it.  I suspect the demand is not there.
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