I agree with you, Blue Streak, that for my suggestion to work, the loading and unloading would have to take place at the passenger stations. In crowded stations like Chhicago Union, Penn Station, NY, South Station, Boston, adding such facilities would not be practical. At New York, it would logically be at Sunnyside. But there would not be a problem at most existing Amtrak stations, such as Albany, Baltimore, New Haven, Denver, Galesburg, San Diego, etc.
In any case, return to all the IFS I posted already. It is an idea for All Aboard Florida to consider. If they have success and adopt the idea, then possibly it can be extended to a national system, hopefully run by the railroads instead of the government.
Deggesty Balt, did they arrive the same day? If so, do you know which one arrived first?
Balt, did they arrive the same day? If so, do you know which one arrived first?
Both arrived same day, however, UPS tracking gave a delivery date for the USPS delivered shipment as 1 day more.
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
Johnny
I ordered two articles from a company I deal with. Both were shipped from the same shipping location on the same day. One was delivered UPS direct and the other was handed off to USPS for final delivery.
Wish I could figure out what made the difference as both were comparable in size and weight.
Sam1Does not answer the question. What percentage of FedEx and UPS packages or shipments are handed off to USPS to complete the last mile? Handoffs by other companies like FedEx and UPS is not the same as FedEx and UPS. It includes all sorts of carriers. According to Courier Express and Postal Observer, approximately 31 per cent of FedEx ground shipments are delivered through USPS. While that is significant, it is a far cry from the majority of ground packages being delivered the last mile by USPS.
I reviewed the thread and the first mention of the USPS carrying a majority of UPS and FedEx packages, letter mail, etc. was yours, just now. So unless you want to argue with yourself, the point was simply that both UPS and FedEx make considerable use of USPS. However, I see no way that has anything to do with the thread title.
C&NW, CA&E, MILW, CGW and IC fan
Some one who knows more may dispute this but. High priority intermodal would probably make street to street total times faster on regular freight. Passenger stations might not have quick loading / unloading locations. Well cars might need to be sent somewhere else to be loaded / unloaded.
Dave , I can finally agree with you. Long distance trains will never be financially self sufficient or should they be.
With that said, thier is enough public support to key them operating or they would be gone as well. The key to thier continued presence and or growth is to generate additional public awareness and support. Some of these are the reasons you have stated.
The passenger train of yesteryear is history and will remain history.
If there is ever a resurgence in passenger train operation it will be in high speed service on high density Origin Destination pair cities. As the interstates become clogged by higher density traffic and airports become clogged by higher flight densitys there will be a demand for an alternative.
I continue to disagree for reasons stated many times on this Form and not really contraticted: Toursim, backup, elderly and handicapped, fare treatment nationally. I do believe they can and should be made more effiicient, however. A reason I started this thread.
Again, it appears the average American is willing to pay ten bucks a year to have a train somewhere accesable in case he/she needs it even though he/she has no plans to use it.
This has been an interesting discussion. At the end of the day, however, I am not convinced that anything will justify the long distance passenger train. At least financially! It is a anchorism that has outlived its economic, social, and financial justification. It should be given a decent burial.
A couple of references to previous efforts of intermodal on Amtrak:
http://cs.trains.com/trn/f/743/t/225620.aspx
http://www.trainsim.com/vbts/archive/index.php/t-193356.html
The short-lived WA state Roadrailers that carried perishables out of Wenatchee (mentioned in the trainsim thread) is something I witnessed years ago when our No.7 from Spokane stopped at Wenatchee to have a long string of those fruit trailers tacked onto the rear of our train. I remember holding my kids up to gaze out the rear window of the last car so we could watch those Roadrailers snaking along behind us, their rooftops being pelted by rain as we descended the west side of Stevens Pass.
CMStPnP I would have trusted the guy based on face value of this being an opinion thread, it's a lot more polite for starters. And you have 2-3 other posters saying the same thing. Anyways, the chart with percentage is in WisLishs Third link, the one you state you do not have access to but never bothered to Google the Title of the Wall Street Article itself to get access to (thats within the link). I just Googled it again to confirm everyone has access to it. Here is the chart:
I would have trusted the guy based on face value of this being an opinion thread, it's a lot more polite for starters. And you have 2-3 other posters saying the same thing.
Anyways, the chart with percentage is in WisLishs Third link, the one you state you do not have access to but never bothered to Google the Title of the Wall Street Article itself to get access to (thats within the link). I just Googled it again to confirm everyone has access to it.
Here is the chart:
CMStPnP Sam1... BTW, off topic. However the DART light rail system is now effectively dual use. I think that was a point of disagreement between us earlier with you saying there was no proof the system was built to dual use standards. Next time your downtown just East of Union Station you can see the streetcar tracks now join with the DART light rail tracks.....using the same overhead wire. I still stand by my earlier remarks that those same DART light rail tracks can also handle frieght railroad equipment.......just like the San Diego Trolley can and does in places.
Sam1...
BTW, off topic. However the DART light rail system is now effectively dual use. I think that was a point of disagreement between us earlier with you saying there was no proof the system was built to dual use standards. Next time your downtown just East of Union Station you can see the streetcar tracks now join with the DART light rail tracks.....using the same overhead wire. I still stand by my earlier remarks that those same DART light rail tracks can also handle frieght railroad equipment.......just like the San Diego Trolley can and does in places.
I don't recall saying anything about joint use of DART's light rail tracks.
The Oak Cliff trolley will be serviced at DART's Santa Fe Avenue service and maintenance facility. The vehicles will run over DART's line along South Lamar to just short of Union Station, where it will manuver through a reverse switch track to line up with the Houston Street Viaduct track.
Comparing the Houston Street trolley to running a freight train on DART's tracks also San Diego is a bit of a stretch.
As far as I know there are no freight operations on DART's track system. The Blue line to Rowlett shares a right-of-way with the Dallas, Garland and Northern Eastern Railroad. Also, the Green Line shares part of the right-of-way with the UP line that runs up to Denton, etc. It also shares part of the right-of-way with a freight line along the C.F. Hawn Freeway, but I am not sure whose line it is.
The San Diego and Arizona Eastern Railway trains that operate over a short section of the San Diego Trolley tracks are a different story. The SDAER is owned by the San Diego Metropolitan Transit Authority, which operates the trolleys and buses in and around San Diego. Most of SDAER operations near south San Diego appear to operate over parallel tracks, although as you showed in a video, which was just a snap shot, some freight runs on the Blue line late at night.
In FY14 MTA revenues, as per Page 7 of the 2014 Annual Report, MTA Revenues were $321.8 million. The 2014 revenues for the San Diego and Arizona Eastern Railway were $1.2 million. The SDAER is so small that its numbers are blended into the MTA numbers without identification. It appears that whatever joint operations are conducted by MTA and SDAER or minor.
DART's light rail tracks probably could support some freight operations, although I am not sure that they would have sufficient clearance through the Central Expressway Tunnel. The larger question, however, is why would a freight carrier want to use DART's light rail lines?
CMStPnP He is correct both Fed Ed and UPS are increasing their package routing via USPS. You can find the chart and percentage in less time if you Google it yourself instead of posting back and forth about it. I already ran across it BUT guess what.....I'm not posting the link in this case as it is readily available within 5 min or less of a search. You can even guess what source to look at as I mentioned it eariler in three letters. If you Email me $50 via paypal I will post the link for you so you can go over the percentages and data. Since you seem to be addicted to that stuff.
He is correct both Fed Ed and UPS are increasing their package routing via USPS.
You can find the chart and percentage in less time if you Google it yourself instead of posting back and forth about it. I already ran across it BUT guess what.....I'm not posting the link in this case as it is readily available within 5 min or less of a search. You can even guess what source to look at as I mentioned it eariler in three letters. If you Email me $50 via paypal I will post the link for you so you can go over the percentages and data. Since you seem to be addicted to that stuff.
Your right! I prefer informed opinions, i.e. supported with verifable data, as opposed to off the wall slap shots.
I ran a search on per cent of FedEx and UPS packages delivered the last mile by USPS.
I got a description of FedEx's program, and I found a number of stories on USPS's efforts to expand their package delivery business. But none of them mentioned the number or percentage of packages delivered the last mile by USPS.
According to a December 2014 story in Reuters, USA, USPS hired a marketing guru from Coca-Cola in 2013 to ramp up its package delivery business. USPS needs to find other sources of revenue to offset the loss of revenue associated with first class mail.
According to ShipMatrix Inc., USPS accounted for 59.2 per cent of e-commerce deliveried in 2013. It does not define e-commerce or indicate the types of packages delivered by USPS vs. FedEx and UPS. E-commerce, for example, does not include the numereous intra and inter business items delivered by FedEx and UPS.
The USPS numbers are for the whole delivery from point of origin to point of delivery. Not a word about the percentage of FedEx and UPS packages delivered the last mile by USPS!
The reason you are not posting the link, I presume, is because you don't have one that answers my question. At this point, however, we are off subject, so I will leave it at that.
People who make or imply a claim but don't back it up with data have an opinion. And that is all they have.
My question was simple. No hidden agenda! What percentage of the packages sent by UPS and FedEx go the last mile via USPS?
Wizlish You are asserting that UPS and FedEx are taking advantage of the post office's universal daily network for last-mile delivery. It is on you to back-up the statement with data. UPS SurePost; FedEx Smart Post. Not like it's rocket science to back this up with "data". Here's one simple proof: And where would we be without a Facebook page about some of the sorts of service failures that a service like this can produce. Here is the 'official' Web page FedEx provides for the SmartPost service: http://www.fedex.com/us/smart-post/index.htm I'll even save you the fifty bucks and provide the link to one of the WSJ stories: http://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-mail-does-the-trick-for-fedex-ups-1407182247
You are asserting that UPS and FedEx are taking advantage of the post office's universal daily network for last-mile delivery. It is on you to back-up the statement with data.
UPS SurePost; FedEx Smart Post. Not like it's rocket science to back this up with "data". Here's one simple proof:
And where would we be without a Facebook page about some of the sorts of service failures that a service like this can produce.
Here is the 'official' Web page FedEx provides for the SmartPost service:
http://www.fedex.com/us/smart-post/index.htm
I'll even save you the fifty bucks and provide the link to one of the WSJ stories:
http://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-mail-does-the-trick-for-fedex-ups-1407182247
Not a single word about the percentage of FedEx and UPS packages delivered the last mile by USPS. Which as my question!
The first two links describe the program. The third link to the WSJ is only available to subscribers. I don't subscribe to the WSJ.
"Tell you what, more and more UPS and FedEx are taking advantage of the post office's universal, daily network for last-mile delivery. (You can google the news stories.)"
"You've outlined an interesting research project for yourself."
No I haven't!
It is one per cent of the packages? Two percent?
Delivering to residential addresses is a nitemare for courier companies. More often than not , nobodies home. Not surprising they hand it off to the postal service, who go by every house daily regardless.
Given we know that , if Amtrak wanted to expand thier express business, It should be possible for them to offer a station to door service, using USPS to deliver.
dakotafred Sam1 dakotafred Sam1 How does anyone know that USPS wants no part of FedEx or UPS? Maybe it is the other way around ... Why would two financially healthy, competitive businesses want to join up with USPS on anything? Tell you what, more and more UPS and FedEx are taking advantage of the post office's universal, daily network for last-mile delivery. (You can google the news stories.) As for me, give me the post office every time. Unlike UPS and FedEx, they don't just dump the parcel on your doorstep (for the convenience of birddogging thieves) and run. If they don't make money, so what? (Name me the government or quasi-government business that does.) Free them from interference by Congress in all their business decisions and they could make money, all right -- but how much would we like the reductions in service that would come with that? (Not much, based on reaction to modest proposals such as an end to Saturday service and closure of the least rural post offices.) What percentage of FedEx and UPS last mile deliveries are made by the USPS? What is your authoritative source, i.e. govermment figures, tables, etc.? Also, what percentage of USPS packages are handled part way by FedEx and UPS? You've outlined an interesting research project for yourself.
Sam1 dakotafred Sam1 How does anyone know that USPS wants no part of FedEx or UPS? Maybe it is the other way around ... Why would two financially healthy, competitive businesses want to join up with USPS on anything? Tell you what, more and more UPS and FedEx are taking advantage of the post office's universal, daily network for last-mile delivery. (You can google the news stories.) As for me, give me the post office every time. Unlike UPS and FedEx, they don't just dump the parcel on your doorstep (for the convenience of birddogging thieves) and run. If they don't make money, so what? (Name me the government or quasi-government business that does.) Free them from interference by Congress in all their business decisions and they could make money, all right -- but how much would we like the reductions in service that would come with that? (Not much, based on reaction to modest proposals such as an end to Saturday service and closure of the least rural post offices.) What percentage of FedEx and UPS last mile deliveries are made by the USPS? What is your authoritative source, i.e. govermment figures, tables, etc.? Also, what percentage of USPS packages are handled part way by FedEx and UPS?
dakotafred Sam1 How does anyone know that USPS wants no part of FedEx or UPS? Maybe it is the other way around ... Why would two financially healthy, competitive businesses want to join up with USPS on anything? Tell you what, more and more UPS and FedEx are taking advantage of the post office's universal, daily network for last-mile delivery. (You can google the news stories.) As for me, give me the post office every time. Unlike UPS and FedEx, they don't just dump the parcel on your doorstep (for the convenience of birddogging thieves) and run. If they don't make money, so what? (Name me the government or quasi-government business that does.) Free them from interference by Congress in all their business decisions and they could make money, all right -- but how much would we like the reductions in service that would come with that? (Not much, based on reaction to modest proposals such as an end to Saturday service and closure of the least rural post offices.)
Sam1 How does anyone know that USPS wants no part of FedEx or UPS? Maybe it is the other way around ... Why would two financially healthy, competitive businesses want to join up with USPS on anything?
How does anyone know that USPS wants no part of FedEx or UPS? Maybe it is the other way around ...
Why would two financially healthy, competitive businesses want to join up with USPS on anything?
You've outlined an interesting research project for yourself.
Interesting but not my cup of tea. Several points. I have also received many small packages that originated with UPS or even more with FedEx, but the final delivery was by USPS. Sam1 asked what percentage? If that is an actual question, sam should answer it. If it is a comment disguised as a question, sam should answer it. All that said, I do not see how the apparent use of USPS by competitors gives support to the proposition that there is a lucrative express, much less renewed mail business for Amtrak in conjunction with the freight rails.
ROBERT WILLISON Sam your 100% correct, money losing or not the USPS provides a higher level of service and a essential service. Maybe at some point with enough technology it can be eliminated, but for now I like my mail box outside as much as I do on my computer.
Sam your 100% correct, money losing or not the USPS provides a higher level of service and a essential service. Maybe at some point with enough technology it can be eliminated, but for now I like my mail box outside as much as I do on my computer.
Dakguy201 The last two FedEx ground shipments I received were delivered to the local post office for further delivery to my place. Despite the presence of FedEx delivery trucks in the neighborhood, they have apparently decided that it is the cheaper delivery method for non time critical items.
The last two FedEx ground shipments I received were delivered to the local post office for further delivery to my place. Despite the presence of FedEx delivery trucks in the neighborhood, they have apparently decided that it is the cheaper delivery method for non time critical items.
I just learned about that and read up on it. Theory is that the Post Office is not charging what it actually costs for the last mile delivery and both UPS and Fed Ex are using that system to save money. By USPS financial calculation they have letter and junk mail carriers already out there in the field so the WSJ theory goes that the USPS is only charging the incremental cost for the service. So the USPS is growing it's package business this way and they say they are increasing the revenues by the same method BUT is it actually going to pay for new trucks and capacity. Now one thing I read which is nice is that both UPS and FED EX via their own automation I believe is pre-sorting prior to delievery to the USPS which does save the USPS some of the handling costs.
Anyways this is not the kind of partnership I was referring to in my Email. I was speaking of more of a 50/50 partnership where each partner takes on equal risks. Not a partnership where one firm takes advantage of anothers stupidity.
ROBERT WILLISON In addition to what Sam said thier would be push back from railroads that scream that they have capacity issues. They want huge sums to up grade right of way to allow additional passenger service. I would love to see more passenger service, but it didn't work for the railroads the first time around, they paid big money to Amtrak in 1971 to join and dump thier existing trains. Don't see any interests from them today.
In addition to what Sam said thier would be push back from railroads that scream that they have capacity issues. They want huge sums to up grade right of way to allow additional passenger service. I would love to see more passenger service, but it didn't work for the railroads the first time around, they paid big money to Amtrak in 1971 to join and dump thier existing trains. Don't see any interests from them today.
Well in my remarks I didn't see Amtrak expanding passenger train frequency because the revenue increase from such service would only go towards closing PART of the Amtrak deficit not flushing out the company with so much cash they would have a new financial and passenger train empire. I am a former businessman myself.....it takes a long time to build a revenue curve upwards and one client usually isn't going to do it by themself.
Oops! Look at what I did, I restarted the conversation....lol.
Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.