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The SleepBus is a new, overnight "luxury" (if you can use that word) bus between LA and San Francisco. It only costs $48 per trip. It's touted as an interim mode of transportation until Calif. high speed rail is available. Might be a long wait.
Earlier discussion of this "AutoPullman".
Posts: 9975 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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Given the plethora of less-than-salubrious travel around the US (and elsewhere) which is frequented by students and international and domestic backpackers, I don't have much doubt they'll break even easily.
But in a similar vein I bet there wouldn't be much sleeping going on for the first couple of hundred miles. Better hope you're not a light sleeper.
"Ingenious project"? No. Not when the likes of Green Tortoise have been doing the same thing for years, albeit on tours rather than point-to-point on fixed schedules.
-------------------- Geoff M. Posts: 2426 | From: Apple Valley, CA | Registered: Sep 2000
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I wouldn't consider a trip on the SleepBus as the bunks do not look inviting. Still, $48 for a trip between LA and SF is quite reasonable. The cost of a Calif. HSR train from LA to SF is expected to be around $100, or from $85 to $110.
However, you can fly the distance for as little as $68. I wonder what a ticket aboard the old SP "Lark" overnight train would have cost? From what I've read, the Lark was quite popular and there was a lot of protest when the train was discontinued in 1968.
Richard
Posts: 1909 | From: Santa Rosa | Registered: Jan 2004
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I will check Eric Bowen's website and a couple others for 1968 prices. NASA has calculators where I can quickly input a valuation and get the cost in current dollars.
From the last time I did this exercise, on a different domain, I think you'll find Amtrak is siginficantly(!!!!) under cost against historic valuations.
Posts: 1404 | Registered: Oct 2001
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I did a Round Trip on The Lark during December 1963 (hey, a 22 year old can.be homeless in SF for a dsy; guarantee you this 74 year old could not).
One of the most memorable rail experiences I had in this life - especially opening my "Engineer's side" Pullman Roomette shade on the Eastbound run near Surf and viewing a crystal day overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
You couldn't pay me to ride that "AutoPullman" (that is a premium bus line down Mexico way) - no more than you could pay me to ride a Couchette overseas; did that once in this life; Sevilla to Barcelona, during '90.
Posts: 9975 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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The primary target market for this service seems to be backpackers. They've located the LA stop in Santa Monica near many of these, including those in Venice Beach.
I can't imagine that it targets most of us. However, given a down economy . . ..
Look at the ethnically diverse Millennials depicted. Sure know what segment they are pitching to; guarantee you it ain't mine.
Southwest Airlines from any LA airport to any SF airport, or v.v, and a night in a major chain's bed is more my speed.
Posts: 9975 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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After clicking on Mr. Norman's link, above, on the SleepBus, I found the Jim Loomis article, below, of a Zephyr trip ("Sacramento to Chicago on the Zephyr, a mixed Bag") is also interesting.
How many times, on Amtrak, do you run into those same problems Loomis depicts on his Zephyr trip. Yes, I like the way he doesn't gloss over Amtrak's problems, as well as give credit when Amtrak does something right.
Richard
Posts: 1909 | From: Santa Rosa | Registered: Jan 2004
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