We could expect slower growth in Amtrak ridership outside of the Northest Corridor
It would be interesting to see what effects changing demographics on train ridership in Japan and in europe, both facing aging and declining populations, are being wrought.
Might thier not be a possible growth in Amtrak ridership despite aging and declining poulations? Currently Amtrak hauls about 2 percent of the nation's inter city traffic. So just a bigger piece of the pie can results in growth.
Today younger folks are moving back to the Central cities, depending far less on automobiles and some forgoing cars all together. It has already created more interest in buses. Ride share in the us was unheard of 10 years ago. It continues to grow as well.
I wouldn't count Amtrak out on demographics.
White Middle prostesnt and non imigrant class are in decline. Many of the cities in the rust belt have lost half to 2/3rds of there population. I see the demograhics at the local Wal-marts everyday. The Local Home Depot in Cheektavagas has gone from pluggers with flanel shirts to middle eastern men with headcovering in Buffalo.
Mr. Willison is right to a degree. Don't count Amtrak out on demographics. We are just at the tip of the baby boomer retirement tsunami. As people age they will be less likely to drive and fly when they can take the train. They will have the money and the time to take the train.
I think the movement of younger people to the cities is about at an end. They had their good times walking to the restaurants and bars but now they want a house in a safe neighborhood with a large yard for the kids and pets and don't forget safe, good schools. Cities only provide that at a high cost. I know several millenials who have given up the city life for the suburbs. Now they drive to the coffee shop on Sunday mornings. These people will not have the money and time to spend on taking the train after their one adventure. They will continue to drive where they can and fly for any distance. But, retired baby boomers may take their place.
runnerdude48 Mr. Willison is right to a degree. Don't count Amtrak out on demographics. We are just at the tip of the baby boomer retirement tsunami. As people age they will be less likely to drive and fly when they can take the train. They will have the money and the time to take the train. I think the movement of younger people to the cities is about at an end. They had their good times walking to the restaurants and bars but now they want a house in a safe neighborhood with a large yard for the kids and pets and don't forget safe, good schools. Cities only provide that at a high cost. I know several millenials who have given up the city life for the suburbs. Now they drive to the coffee shop on Sunday mornings. These people will not have the money and time to spend on taking the train after their one adventure. They will continue to drive where they can and fly for any distance. But, retired baby boomers may take their place.
Yes. Many retired folks and empty nesters are heading for the city,
Local bus service and senior dial and ride services are expanding here in my county in antispation, But considering the indepedent mindset of the Baby Boomers I expect the we will have to pry the auto steering wheel from their cold dead hands.
CandOforprogress2 But considering the indepedent mindset of the Baby Boomers I expect the we will have to pry the auto steering wheel from their cold dead hands.
Hence the rush on marketing driverless cars. Allows independence.
The opinions expressed here represent my own and not those of my employer, any other railroad, company, or person.
It amazes me how many of my kids friends do not have driver's licenses or the intention to obtain one. Thier intentions are to Uber or use lift or some form of public transportation.
When I was thier age, not driving was out of the question.
Things they keep on changing.
How old are the kids? Intentions and realities usually conflict.
Overall population may be stagnant. But we need to look at population in age groups of say 5 year intervals. Is the groups that most often travel by rail increasing ?? Have no idea.
CandOforprogress2 We could expect slower growth in Amtrak ridership outside of the Northest Corridor.
We could expect slower growth in Amtrak ridership outside of the Northest Corridor.
Rio Grande Valley, CFI,CFII
zugmann How old are the kids? Intentions and realities usually conflict.
Amtrak's route map is still roughly the same as it was back when Amtrak started even though demographics has changed drastically since 1981. If Amtrak wanted to take advantage of that, they would try to expand service in the South and West.
CandOforprogress2 Local bus service and senior dial and ride services are expanding here in my county in antispation, But considering the indepedent mindset of the Baby Boomers I expect the we will have to pry the auto steering wheel from their cold dead hands.
Yes you will.
Last time I checked it was still a free country and I can live where and how I can afford.
Trains don't go anywhere I need or want to go on any regular basis, it is a 20 min drive to the nearest AMTRAK station from my house, it is of no value to me.
Maybe you want to live in 800 sq ft in a dirty, noisy, city, good for you.
I can't carry my construction tools on a bus or train......
Oh, that's right I'm one of the few who create wealth by building things rather than sitting in a cubical and manipulating wealth.......
I need my 4,000 sq ft house for my model trains..........
I earned it........
Sheldon
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