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While I can't pin point the place; I've read some where(s) that Amtrak is planning to replace food cooked on board with meals that will be "pre" prepared and then "re" heated on board; and that the meals will be of the casserole type; lasagna, beef stew, etc. We're in the process of finalizing a cross country trip and finding it hard to afford because of the huge increase in fares and accomdations over the trips we've taken the past two years. As much as we like train travel, I don't know that we want to pay T-Bone priced fares for lasagna type service. Is this just smoke, or is it a fact of life? Best regards, Rodger
Mr. Toy Member # 311
posted Here's the story, courtesy of NCI. So far it affects four trains. I'm not quite sure what to make of it, but it doesn't look too appealing at first glance.
In terms of seating capacity I don't see how they expect one combined lounge/diner car to replace a lounge and a diner.
On the other hand, I have long advocated continuous food service, so that passengers can eat on their schedule and not Amtrak's. Providing continuous meal service from 6:30am to 11:30pm is a big plus in my book. Personally, I think they should try that first, and see what affect it has on food costs and revenue before reconfiguring Superliners for new duties.
RRRICH Member # 1418
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Mr. Toy - that "National Corridors Initiative" newsletter you attached looks quite informative -- how does one subscribe to it? Is it free (I doubt it)?
PullmanCo Member # 1138
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Welcome to Congressional and Executive oversight of Amtrak.
Mr. Toy Member # 311
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quote:Originally posted by RRRICH: Mr. Toy - that "National Corridors Initiative" newsletter you attached looks quite informative -- how does one subscribe to it? Is it free (I doubt it)?
Oh, ye of little faith! It is indeed free. Their main page is at http://www.nationalcorridors.org You can access a huge archive of their newsletters.
DeeCT Member # 3241
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Please be advised that the new rate fare is more like caviar rates. (and very expensive caviar at that.) I just went on line to book my annual Thanksgiving trip and am blown away with "sticker shock". I planned it to leave on the exact same day and to return as I did this past year (2005)with the same accomodations. 2005 rate - $899.90 2006 rate - $1358.90 That is a $459 price increase (not good a figuring per cent of increase but think that is a 50% increase.) Feel free to correct my math!
To make a comparison I checked with Southwest Airlines for their round trip fare and with a shuttle service that would get me to the same destination. Southwest - Hartford/Springfield to Phoenix round trip $139 Shuttle Service - Phoenix to Prescott City $28
In other words --- Amtrak = $1359 Southwest and shuttle = $192
Even if Southwest rates go up triple it will still be a tremendous difference. (You can only actually book 3-4 months in advance of trip.) As much as I love train travel, as a senior living on Soc Sec and a very small pension you can probably guess which I will choose.
Dee
jgart56 Member # 3968
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Dee,
I too was amazed at the price increases. My wife and I wanted to go to San Francisco (from Chicago) in the Fall of 06 and I was flabbergasted at the $1900 price tag. I wonder what it will cost closer to the date. I am also wondering if this is an attempt to price the sleepers out of everyones reach and then get rid of them? I'm hoping that's not the case!
DeeCT Member # 3241
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jgart56,
Now it is not only our CongressCritters who think this is a land cruise !! Someone needs to tell Amtrak they are not the American Orient Express. $432 for one night in a 3'6" X 6'6" roomette whose decor can best be described as shabby(and that is being generous). Oh yes, I am aware that meals are included.Since I travel alone perhaps Amtrak should issue me vouchers for my future use when traveling coach - or perhaps a discount for the unused second meals. (By the way the meals are no longer listed as "complimentary" they are now considered included ammenities.) I have long been a supporter of Amtrak -- willing to overlook many of the quirks of traveling by train - and willing to pay a little bit more. But this is now pricing themselves out of the market. Thank goodness my trip for next spring was booked prior to the rate hikes !! Dee
jgart56 Member # 3968
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Dee,
I wholeheartedly agree with you. It looks like my Wife and I will be flying(choke) for about $675.00 round trip.
I would think that Amtrak has factored in the labor cost as well as the food cost for it's trains...so I figure about $25.00 for dinner, $15.00 for lunch, and $10.00 for breakfast...roughly $50.00; and thus subtract it from your $432 and you get $382. Still a lot of money for a compartment.
I've said this before and I'll say it again: I'm all for the way Via Rail does it. Meals are not included and thus sleeper compartments are cheaper. Don't call it First Class service but simply Sleeper Service and you pay for whatever meals you eat. I wish Amtrak would do this!!
Mr. Toy Member # 311
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I priced our usual Salinas to Salem Roomette for two trip last night, and it came to about $100 more than usual for the round trip. Even the coach fares were about $25 higher each way. Bedroom prices were out of reach to anyone who doesn't drive a Rolls.
David Member # 3
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quote:Originally posted by jgart56: ... I've said this before and I'll say it again: I'm all for the way Via Rail does it. Meals are not included and thus sleeper compartments are cheaper. Don't call it First Class service but simply Sleeper Service and you pay for whatever meals you eat. I wish Amtrak would do this!!
VIA's meal policy for sleeping car passengers is anything but consistent. On the Toronto - Vancouver "Canadian" all dining car meals are included in all seasons. On the Montreal - Halifax "Ocean," meals are not included, but in the six summer months there are two classes of sleeper service: Comfort Class and Easterly Class. The latter includes dinner and breakfast in the dining car (it is rumoured that lunch will also be included this year,) access to the dome-lounge "Park" car and a few other amenities. On the Montreal - Gaspe "Chaleur" and Winnipeg - Churchill trains, no meals are included.
Jerome Nicholson Member # 3116
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It's a bad choice, but one we have to face. With Congress and the Administration the way they are, all we can do is tough it out until the next elections. Meanwhile, is it better to pretend train travel is price-competetive with the airlines, or do we try to go the land cruise route taken by VIA with correspondingly higher prices?
graynt Member # 17
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Im glad someone brought up the outrageous price increases on Amtrak. I just returned from atrip on the CZ $230 for a sleeper from Sac to Chi. Im just afraid that may be my last trip for quite some time. I usually begin planning for a long journey around his time for September. I ve ben checking sleeper prices..Over $500 on the SW Chief for a roomette..even with meals WAY OVERPRICED!! Unfortinatly I will never pay that much for a sleeper so I won t go at all. I jut can t believe everything is so expensive eight months in advance. Why are the prices skyrocketing?
I ve taken many Amtrak journeys and probably have half a million miles logged. I wish the sleeper prices would come down to earth..actually I did see a $192 price on the Builder for November so maybe all is not lost.
Another question maybesome expert can answer. I always plan my Amtrak trips solely on the cost of the sleeper. Instead of punching in all thse dates and different cross country trains is there a simple way of finding out in the next ten months or so the least expensive sleeper prices on some list? That would certainly make my advance planning easier!
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