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Amtrak's next-gen Acela train: “Wi-Fi, craft beers and reliable schedules”

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Re: Amtrak's next-gen Acela train: “Wi-Fi, craft beers and reliable schedules”

#11

Post by ascagnel_ »

solidblu wrote: post #5

As someone who commutes on the shared train lines used for the NYC to DC route I for-see more delays for my commute to make the reliability numbers go up. Screw over the many for the benefit of a few... Many being the normal more commuters out of New York Penn Station.

Amtrak is already proceeding on a new tunnel project under the Hudson[0] independent of the Gateway project, (edit: and has funding independent of the federal government). The real question is if elected officials can get on the same page with the interstate Gateway project.

[0]: https://nec.amtrak.com/project/the-hudson-tunnel-project/

Re: Amtrak's next-gen Acela train: “Wi-Fi, craft beers and reliable schedules”

#12

Post by akhilcacharya »

smacktoward wrote: post #9
jamesmp98 wrote: post #2

I've never taken Amtrak, but from what I understand, it's not that great outside the northeast megalopolis. Every time I've looked at their site, it's always been only barely cheaper than flying and often has no trains to a destination I search. Especially if that destination is not a huge city

Outside the Northeast Corridor, you're absolutely right, it's not great. Acela runs inside the Northeast Corridor, however, and for that market even the current version is pretty compelling. I take it periodically to travel between DC and NYC; it costs approximately the same as flying, but offers wide seats with built-in power sockets, lets you get up and stretch your legs if you want to, and doesn't require you to r…

I took the NE Regional last weekend and I was honestly really impressed. The WiFi was fast enough, seat was comfortable and it was remarkably on time.

I'm planning a trip to NYC in a few weeks and I realized that LGA to midtown Manhattan costs about $50 via UberX each way the Acela ends up being as expensive or cheaper while still being faster!

Re: Amtrak's next-gen Acela train: “Wi-Fi, craft beers and reliable schedules”

#13

Post by mackey »

foxyv wrote: post #6
jamesmp98 wrote: post #2

I've never taken Amtrak, but from what I understand, it's not that great outside the northeast megalopolis. Every time I've looked at their site, it's always been only barely cheaper than flying and often has no trains to a destination I search. Especially if that destination is not a huge city

The one advantage I've heard about taking the train is that prices are usually flat. If you need to book a trip the next day you will pay through the nose for most airfare. Train trips on the other hand will mostly be the same price no matter when you book. Aside from that small exception, air travel is MUCH faster/cheaper/convenient.

I have taken probably 15 Acela rounds trips in the last 3 years between Boston and NYC for work and I personally find it more convenient than flight travel.

In my case, it's easier for me to get to South Station in Boston than to get to Logan Airport. The seats and accommodations are much better on a train, much less stressful and easier boarding process (and I have precheck). I have never had an issue finding overheard space. Once in NYC, it's also easier to get to the part of Manhattan that I need to than any NYC airport. Flying is still a little faster, but my employer encourages we travel during work hours, so I don't mind the extra time for the better experience.

Obviously if I was going all the way to DC from Boston, it would't make as much sense, but since NYC is close enough, speed is basically a wash.

Re: Amtrak's next-gen Acela train: “Wi-Fi, craft beers and reliable schedules”

#14

Post by pzone »

foxyv wrote: post #6
jamesmp98 wrote: post #2

I've never taken Amtrak, but from what I understand, it's not that great outside the northeast megalopolis. Every time I've looked at their site, it's always been only barely cheaper than flying and often has no trains to a destination I search. Especially if that destination is not a huge city

The one advantage I've heard about taking the train is that prices are usually flat. If you need to book a trip the next day you will pay through the nose for most airfare. Train trips on the other hand will mostly be the same price no matter when you book. Aside from that small exception, air travel is MUCH faster/cheaper/convenient.

Next-day train tickets do increase in price, particularly on these Acela lines. However you do escape the aggressively hyperoptimized pricing for airlines, and fares become flat once you're booking about a week ahead.

Re: Amtrak's next-gen Acela train: “Wi-Fi, craft beers and reliable schedules”

#15

Post by smacktoward »

akhilcacharya wrote: post #12
smacktoward wrote: post #9

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Outside the Northeast Corridor, you're absolutely right, it's not great. Acela runs inside the Northeast Corridor, however, and for that market even the current version is pretty compelling. I take it periodically to travel between DC and NYC; it costs approximately the same as flying, but offers wide seats with built-in power sockets, lets you get up and stretch your legs if you want to, and doesn't require you to r…

I took the NE Regional last weekend and I was honestly really impressed. The WiFi was fast enough, seat was comfortable and it was remarkably on time. I'm planning a trip to NYC in a few weeks and I realized that LGA to midtown Manhattan costs about $50 via UberX each way the Acela ends up being as expensive or cheaper while still being faster!

Yeah, the Northeast Regional is a little slower than Acela, and the train cabins are a little dowdier, but other than that it's not bad either. And it can be significantly cheaper than Acela, so if you're not tightly scheduled it can be very attractive.

Re: Amtrak's next-gen Acela train: “Wi-Fi, craft beers and reliable schedules”

#16

Post by drspacemonkey »

jamesmp98 wrote: post #2

I've never taken Amtrak, but from what I understand, it's not that great outside the northeast megalopolis. Every time I've looked at their site, it's always been only barely cheaper than flying and often has no trains to a destination I search. Especially if that destination is not a huge city

The Cascades line in the PNW is top notch. Taking the train from Vancouver to Seattle/Portland is a far better experience than flying or driving. Wifi, big seats with lots of legroom, easy customs, dining car, train leaves and arrives downtown - I highly recommend it.

Re: Amtrak's next-gen Acela train: “Wi-Fi, craft beers and reliable schedules”

#17

Post by solidblu »

ascagnel_ wrote: post #11
solidblu wrote: post #5

As someone who commutes on the shared train lines used for the NYC to DC route I for-see more delays for my commute to make the reliability numbers go up. Screw over the many for the benefit of a few... Many being the normal more commuters out of New York Penn Station.

Amtrak is already proceeding on a new tunnel project under the Hudson[0] independent of the Gateway project, (edit: and has funding independent of the federal government). The real question is if elected officials can get on the same page with the interstate Gateway project. [0]: https://nec.amtrak.com/project/the-hudson-tunnel-project/

It is still owned by Amtrak, which means that normal commuters will still get the short end of the stick over Amtrak customers like normal. Any one that takes NJTransit during rush hour knows just how little Amtrak cares about commuters. For those who don't. They on a regular basis posted track numbers for two rush hour trains leaving within 5 mins on the same track pair. This leaves more than 300 people rushing down the same 3 stairwells.

Re: Amtrak's next-gen Acela train: “Wi-Fi, craft beers and reliable schedules”

#18

Post by asavadatti »

toomuchtodo wrote: post #4
jamesmp98 wrote: post #2

I've never taken Amtrak, but from what I understand, it's not that great outside the northeast megalopolis. Every time I've looked at their site, it's always been only barely cheaper than flying and often has no trains to a destination I search. Especially if that destination is not a huge city

> Former Delta Airlines CEO, Richard Anderson, now runs Amtrak. He said the new Acela is "incredibly important" to the future of the company. > "It really lays out a clear vision for what short haul, inter-city passenger rail transportation can do for this country. And this country is going to need it in more and more corridors because millennials don't want to drive and you cannot add enough lane miles for 100 milli…

>Do trains have an uphill battle in car and air travel centric America? Most definitely

Figuratively and literally (because trains have a much harder time going uphill than cars)

Re: Amtrak's next-gen Acela train: “Wi-Fi, craft beers and reliable schedules”

#19

Post by magduf »

akhilcacharya wrote: post #12
smacktoward wrote: post #9

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Outside the Northeast Corridor, you're absolutely right, it's not great. Acela runs inside the Northeast Corridor, however, and for that market even the current version is pretty compelling. I take it periodically to travel between DC and NYC; it costs approximately the same as flying, but offers wide seats with built-in power sockets, lets you get up and stretch your legs if you want to, and doesn't require you to r…

I took the NE Regional last weekend and I was honestly really impressed. The WiFi was fast enough, seat was comfortable and it was remarkably on time. I'm planning a trip to NYC in a few weeks and I realized that LGA to midtown Manhattan costs about $50 via UberX each way the Acela ends up being as expensive or cheaper while still being faster!

Yeah, flying in and out of NYC is a total PITA because there's no decent public transit to the airports, unlike in better-laid-out cities.

Re: Amtrak's next-gen Acela train: “Wi-Fi, craft beers and reliable schedules”

#20

Post by basementcat »

jamesmp98 wrote: post #2

I've never taken Amtrak, but from what I understand, it's not that great outside the northeast megalopolis. Every time I've looked at their site, it's always been only barely cheaper than flying and often has no trains to a destination I search. Especially if that destination is not a huge city

Amtrak between LA and San Diego (and even Santa Barbara) is very convenient if your destination is within walking/biking/bus/trolley range of downtown.
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