NC which reports ridership by calendar year announces a 22.8% increase in ridership for 2023 over 2022. A 5th train was added in July so ~ 12.5% increase for the year would have meant steady ridership. So, the service is increasing ridership over each of its trains on an average. However, some trains might have more increases other than others?
So far NC increases average ridership of each train. Believe a 6th train is planned?
Rail News - NC By Train logs record ridership. For Railroad Career Professionals (progressiverailroading.com)
Now we have Virginia CY 2023 figures. Up almost 30 % over 2022. Very interesting.
Cs.trains.com/trn/f/default.aspx
Amtrak Virginia Sets Record with Calendar Year 2023 Ridership - VPRA (vapassengerrailauthority.org)
blue streak 1ow we have Virginia CY 2023 figures. Up almost 30 % over 2022. Very interesting. Cs.trains.com/trn/f/default.aspx Amtrak Virginia Sets Record with Calendar Year 2023 Ridership - VPRA (vapassengerrailauthority.org)
One thing to remember about both VA and NC service to New York. If people were to DRIVE they would have to deal with the traffic of the Capitol Beltway as well as I-95 from DC through Baltimore and its harbor tunnels as well as the toll road/bridges between DC to and including New York. Those tolls mount up.
My normal driving route from Central Maryland to Mamaroneck, NY for race car issues is normally I-83 to Harrisburg and the I-84, I-87 and I-287 over the Tapan Zee Bridge. Made a mistaken turn coming back to Maryland one trip and ended up using the GW Bridge and all the toll roads back to the Baltimore Beltway - I think my EZ-Pass account had over $30 in tolls, let alone the mileage and gas I put on the truck. On my Central PA routing, I got tolls for the Tapan Zee one way and for the bridge between NJ & PA one way.
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
blue streak 1NC which reports ridership by calendar year announces a 22.8% increase in ridership for 2023 over 2022. A 5th train was added in July so ~ 12.5% increase for the year would have meant steady ridership. So, the service is increasing ridership over each of its trains on an average. However, some trains might have more increases other than others?
I thought they were looking to extend the corridor from Charlotte to Atlanta? Is that still the plan or was it one of those $500k studies that the Feds handed out?
Extend to Atlanta? Right now highly unlikely as SC shows no interest at all. As for GA there is some interest as a high speed study was done to CLT. But, study apppears to be gathering dust. There are too many auto centric persons in the state legislature. No competition for their auto buddies.
We cannot even get a study for a new passenger station in ATL.
NC RR reports ridership gain to over 101,000 for combined JAN & FEB. UP over 20% from last year.
NC By Train Ridership Continues to Grow (ncdot.gov)
Brightline bond document revises forecast for 2024 as monthly delivery steadies: Analysis - Trains
Brightline FEB carrying just under 4000 riders a day to / from south Florida a day. Amtrak, Congress, State of Florida need to be in the hall of shame. How many riders did Amtrak miss over the years and now by not having good timing of more trains from Sanford / Winter Park south?
Amtrak's $69 fare could certainly attract riders although Star coach sold out tomorrow.
Charlotte to Atlanta- Ga. DOT led the EIS document, deciding on a greenfield route, basically Charlotte- Augusta- Athens- Atlanta. This route selection was made over and upgraded NS routing or an I-85 routing. Since then there has been no action on Georgia's part. NC applied for the $500k simply because neither GA nor SC were going to do anything. According to NCDOT in a conversation I had with he Director tonight the grant will be used to define the next steps and layout key sequential steps in order for plan development but he didn't seem to optimistic with the lack of GA and SC interest.
blue streak 1Brightline FEB carrying just under 4000 riders a day to / from south Florida a day. Amtrak, Congress, State of Florida need to be in the hall of shame. How many riders did Amtrak miss over the years and now by not having good timing of more trains from Sanford / Winter Park south?
In fact, it is going to be interesting to see what happens with the Jacksonville-to-Orlando service via Sanford now that the Brightline extension is a high-speed subsidized 'connection' to the south. I don't think Amtrak has either the budget or the vision to run the kind of service that would show Brightline-style numbers...
Question: How much would the Star coach capacity have to increase to come into line with 4000 pax/day? And what would be the cost (at $69/each in revenue) to provide the extra equipment that would have that capacity?
VA reeports April 2024 up ten percent from 2023/
Amtrak Virginia Rolls into Summer with Record Ridership - VPRA (vapassengerrailauthority.org)
Overmod blue streak 1 Brightline FEB carrying just under 4000 riders a day to / from south Florida a day. Amtrak, Congress, State of Florida need to be in the hall of shame. How many riders did Amtrak miss over the years and now by not having good timing of more trains from Sanford / Winter Park south? I can almost assure you that absent the Fortress investment of 'all those billions' they would be no great 'ridership increase' and certainly no great new Amtrak investment in Airo sets or whatever for what is basically rickety service via Sanford and Orlando. In fact, it is going to be interesting to see what happens with the Jacksonville-to-Orlando service via Sanford now that the Brightline extension is a high-speed subsidized 'connection' to the south. I don't think Amtrak has either the budget or the vision to run the kind of service that would show Brightline-style numbers... Question: How much would the Star coach capacity have to increase to come into line with 4000 pax/day? And what would be the cost (at $69/each in revenue) to provide the extra equipment that would have that capacity?
blue streak 1 Brightline FEB carrying just under 4000 riders a day to / from south Florida a day. Amtrak, Congress, State of Florida need to be in the hall of shame. How many riders did Amtrak miss over the years and now by not having good timing of more trains from Sanford / Winter Park south?
I can almost assure you that absent the Fortress investment of 'all those billions' they would be no great 'ridership increase' and certainly no great new Amtrak investment in Airo sets or whatever for what is basically rickety service via Sanford and Orlando.
It would be interesting to know how many of those travelers represent newly created travel because of Brightline versus travelers who would've otherwise driven or flown.
GrampIt would be interesting to know how many of those travelers represent newly created travel because of Brightline versus travelers who would've otherwise driven or flown.
Brightline's marketing I think is far more innovative than anything we will ever see out of Amtrak. I think Brightline has been far more effective than Amtrak will ever be with marketing and capturing new riders. Perhaps we can hope that Brightline riders will eventually be large enough and attempt a lot more transfers and rides on Amtrak after their Brightline experience they will demand changes from Amtrak via Congress..............that is the only avenue I have hope for. I don't see Amtrak management adapting on their own or even being remotely competitive. Amtrak management always seems to need a kick in the pants before it wakes up. At least that has been the track record.
Gramp Overmod blue streak 1 Brightline FEB carrying just under 4000 riders a day to / from south Florida a day. Amtrak, Congress, State of Florida need to be in the hall of shame. How many riders did Amtrak miss over the years and now by not having good timing of more trains from Sanford / Winter Park south? I can almost assure you that absent the Fortress investment of 'all those billions' they would be no great 'ridership increase' and certainly no great new Amtrak investment in Airo sets or whatever for what is basically rickety service via Sanford and Orlando. In fact, it is going to be interesting to see what happens with the Jacksonville-to-Orlando service via Sanford now that the Brightline extension is a high-speed subsidized 'connection' to the south. I don't think Amtrak has either the budget or the vision to run the kind of service that would show Brightline-style numbers... Question: How much would the Star coach capacity have to increase to come into line with 4000 pax/day? And what would be the cost (at $69/each in revenue) to provide the extra equipment that would have that capacity? It would be interesting to know how many of those travelers represent newly created travel because of Brightline versus travelers who would've otherwise driven or flown.
Royal Caribbean and Brightline have started a deal that will include 15% off the Brightline fare if you have a Royal cruise booked out of FLL or MIA.
Some of the cruise forums that I am on have reported that the reduced Brightline fare combined with the lower fare flying into Orlando is cheaper that just flying into FLL or MIA, and some passengers are the result of that. I doubt they would have considered Amtrak between Orlando and the cruise ports.
An "expensive model collector"
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