Why doesn't Amtrak release these kind of numbers nationwide since they are providing these numbers ?
https://lossan.octa.net/AgendaPDF/7357.pdf
My take from that presentation is their Business Class sales are almost non-existent (chart page 11) and they either need to market it better, add more perks, or just pull the plug on it. They should attempt marketing it better as they should do a lot better than they are doing with it. Maybe install more comfortable seats, maybe add a touch screen in front of each seat, add more perks, do something besides nothing to increase the number of passengers paying the higher Business Class fare.
Again, Amtrak Management not stepping up to the plate.
A locals view .......
It remains to be seen who will market Business Class better. As we all know and see, Amtrak management only cares about the NEC (Nothing Else Counts). Note that those stats were released by the LOSSAN joint powers authority, not Amtrak.
As of July 1, the Pacific Surfliner service is controlled by LOSSAN:
http://www.octa.net/News/Metrolink/Local-Control-Coming-to-Pacific-Surfliner-Rail-Service/
IMO the stats seem to show a bias toward weekend travel, presumably discretionary rather than business. If marketed properly, business use could improve as the service has better frequency, end-to-end and early evening service than Metrolink & NCTD. Bus/light rail connectivity is mostly a non starter on a tight schedule - taxis will rule.
Links to my Google Maps ---> Sunset Route overview, SoCal metro, Yuma sub, Gila sub, SR east of Tucson, BNSF Northern Transcon and Southern Transcon *** Why you should support Ukraine! ***
Could this be local government wanting its own bureaucracy? Will Amtrak reduce it's charges for not providing the services it didn't (but should have) provided? Are there savings or more expenses. We know the Capitol Corridor has done a great job so hopefully, Lossan will also.
If you read the link posted by MikeF90, the "local control" means that the people interfacing with Amtrak over the operation of the Pacific Surfliner service are based in Orange County, not Sack-of-tomatoes -er- Sacramento.
As for numbers on the ridership versus train number - keep in mind that the train numbers starting with "5" just run between SAN and LAUPT. Numbers starting with "7" typically run from SAN to Goleta with a few running all the way to SLO city. Business class doesn't look too bad, business class on 580, 582 and 784 is pretty crowded on Friday afernoons.
Also note ridership peaks July and August, otherwise known as Del Mar race season. There's enough traffic out of Solana Beach so that Amtrak posts a couple of agents on the pedrestrian bridge to the northbound track platform in the afternoon.
One page shows which city pairs generate the most traffic - noted SOL - IRV was 70,000 to 100,000 for 2014. It is a bit weird to think that my commuting to OC last year was responsible for about 0.5% of that.
- Erik
For what it's worth, I ride business class 5-6 times per year between Glendale and Santa Barbara. On the weekends the car is 50% full both ways.
I pay the extra fare because there aren't kids running up and down the aisle. The amenities in business class? Meh
Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.