Quote:
Originally Posted by Time2Travel
If any form of passenger rail travel were an economically viable option then a private company would jump all over it. The problem with rail is speed, convenience, comfort and cost.
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Funny seeing this "revival" post (since it started in 2008). We live in Toronto and for the past two summers have driven down to Wilmington for vacation - by the maps (Google/Map Quest) it is non-stop about 16 hours. But with two kids, the border, construction, traffic, rest stops and an overnight stop mid-way, we leave around 9-10AM in Toronto then arrive in Wilmington the next day around 7-8pm. (more than 16hrs!)
We love being in OUR car and packing WHAT WE WANT and not having to follow other's SCHEDULES. The concept of RORO is something I thought about (what if). So far I think India is the only place offering such a service and only to commercial vehicles.
But I think if something like that could be developed it would certainly help tourism all around. From Toronto you are talking at least 8-10 hours to get to key points - Chicago, Philly, Boston, NYC, DC. Sad. I had troubles with the trek to Wilmington staying
only 9 nights - so we stayed 16 this year. And I am not against driving to a major pick up point (1-2hrs way) and then along with a few stops per state and then to drive another 1-2 hours to my ultimate destination.
Commercial already has this done - the cargo is on the trains and they just lift up and put onto the trucks with the flatbeds (not sure the term freight wise).
But even so - there is a cost to use RORO and if that cost doesn't help cut the time in at least half - really what is the point?
As Time2Travel said - the way it is today - is crap. For me to go to Montreal by train, I have to go to Union station (during rush hour - subway is really the only practical way) (0.75-1.5hrs). Then board the train at a said time for a 5 hour trip - then have the train stop at stations all the way and then arrive in Montreal. From home to hotel - you are talking at least 6-7 hours. Cripes, I can drive in Montreal in 4.5 hrs from my home when I want to - why would I spend all that time in a tin can which may or may not have working A/C and have to still spend more time after to get to my hotel?
A trip for four of us via Amtrak from Toronto to Fayettville is about $575 - leaving at 8am and arriving the next day at 344pm. What does that do for us? Saves wear and tear on the car - but we haven't saved a day traveling and I still gotta get to the station and get to Wilmington (after renting a car $$$). Add 3 hours of "place to station" "station to place" time. All that and we saved - what? an hour? But it cost us $600 more PLUS the cost of the rental.
The round trip mileage for us was 2500m - about $300US in gas - not bad.
Someone has to think big about it. My buddy and I have discussed this to no end. The only solution is high speed rail like in Japan (/China). And yes something with a RORO concept too would need to be part of that plan. To do high speed rail - you are talking MAJOR overhauls not just minor track improvement. (Angles and all that need to be modified quite radically).
Sad.
Then again trust me, I ask the same question half the time when going to and from Toronto where we live - subways are only along main streets and after that if you need MORE THAN ONE transfer by bus, forget it. No thought anywhere - unless I suppose you live in Manhattan and don't need a car to get around.
Cheers!
belly
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