Amtrak delivers required report on Pittsburgh train service (Philadelphia, Altoona: transfer, price)

[Copanut]

The only improvement I saw was the restrooms, they were like you see on airplanes eliminating the need to lock the restrooms when arriving in station.

[ctoocheck]

To be blunt, this is the sort of thinking that kills true HSR. 20 minutes here, 20 minutes there, and the next thing you know you aren't competing with direct air travel and direct driving between the big cities in the way that you originally planned.

I suppose you're right. the Altoona/Johnstown is pretty much smack in the center, so, I mean, it kind of makes sense in the regard that you could have at least that as an intermediate stop. It's just kind of too bad that this straighter route couldn't really double-task it and be much use to local service, as there's not really any/as many significant places along the way. (also it would probably be really expensive due to land acquisition and topographic challenges, so it is REALLY a shame it wouldn't be able to double-taks much. If it could I think actually accomplishing such a project would be much more probable, more bang for the buck.)

So I guess, just theoretically, you could have a HSR line shoot straight from Harrisburg to Altoona/Johnstown to Pittsburgh, then still use the current Pennsylvanian routing for local service between these points (via Greensburg, Johnstown, Altoona...and also connect that local service to State College ;-) )

If only we had the money/political might to accomplish such a feat in the first place!

[BrianTH]

Originally Posted by Copanut

Maybe they've improved service in the last ten years, but it would take a lot of convincing for me to depend on the service.

That's basically the point we started with above, as acknowledged in the study. The service between Harrisburg and Pittsburgh is basically terrible, and yet ridership has been increasing lately. The implication is that if you actually provided just decent service, the ridership could potentially be much higher.

[BrianTH]

Originally Posted by ctoocheck

So I guess, just theoretically, you could have a HSR line shoot straight from Harrisburg to Altoona/Johnstown to Harrisburg, then still use the current Pennsylvania routing for local service (And also connect that local servie to State College ;-) )

Works for me!

If only we had the money/political might to accomplish such a feat in the first place!

You never know. We have spent the money necessary for big infrastructure transformations in the past, such as with the interstate highway system and the jet airport system. So I don't think it is inconceivable we could make a similar investment in a modern train system, particularly given the likelihood of increased environmental and energy reasons to do so.

[Copanut]

I agree, if they improve service ridership would increase. My wife travels to Philly about twice a month. She refuses to fly due to the Philly airport and always drives. If run efficiently, riding the train could be an alternative.

[ctoocheck]

The only improvement I saw was the restrooms

Yeah, the bathrooms on the Capitol Limited (Superliner) were pretty nice... but they had so many! There are apparently 6 per car. Not really complaining, but it's kind of ridiculous nonetheless.

[Blackbeauty212]

Originally Posted by BrianTH

That's basically the point we started with above, as acknowledged in the study. The service between Harrisburg and Pittsburgh is basically terrible, and yet ridership has been increasing lately. The implication is that if you actually provided just decent service, the ridership could potentially be much higher.

I think this may have to do with the Airlines being complete RIP OFF! and Highly Unreliable! Along with such terrible Greyhound service.

They haven't. I've had 6 hour trips turn into 11 and 13 hours ones. I should also add that these "6 hour trips" only take 4 hours by car, and it costs anywhere from 10 - 90 dollars more roundtrip to use Amtrak. Then throw in some bizarre arrival/departure times and it just isn't worth it. Today 09:34 AM

Originally Posted by ferrarisnowday

They haven't. I've had 6 hour trips turn into 11 and 13 hours ones. I should also add that these "6 hour trips" only take 4 hours by car, and it costs anywhere from 10 - 90 dollars more roundtrip to use Amtrak. Then throw in some bizarre arrival/departure times and it just isn't worth it.

You really Save me, on my next trip home from NY to Pitt I was thinking about taking Megabus down to Philly and hopping the Pennsylivanian, but if it add's all that time, i might as well catch one of the Express Greyhounds like ususal (GOD I HATE THIS COMPANY)...NY to Pittsburgh is 7hr tops straight down I-78 to the PA turnpike so quick an simple just as Quick as Driving except for the rest stop if you need it or not.....

Its really a shame when Buses do a better job then Rail.....I would love for Megabus to start have NY to Pittsburgh route, they make a killing, people really HATE Greyhound...

[Copanut]

OK, trivia question: Why did they lock the bathrooms in the old days when the train was about 3 miles from the station?

Class, class, anyone?

[pman]

Originally Posted by Blackbeauty212

You really Save me, on my next trip home from NY to Pitt I was thinking about taking Megabus down to Philly and hopping the Pennsylivanian, but if it add's all that time, i might as well catch one of the Express Greyhounds like ususal (GOD I HATE THIS COMPANY)...NY to Pittsburgh is 7hr tops straight down I-78 to the PA turnpike so quick an simple just as Quick as Driving except for the rest stop if you need it or not.....

Its really a shame when Buses do a better job then Rail.....I would love for Megabus to start have NY to Pittsburgh route, they make a killing, people really HATE Greyhound...

megabus is fine for short trips but I found megabus to be awful for long trips, cramped, the wifi is a joke, and the bathroom was disgusting. much worse than greyhound's NY-toronto service. Greyhound has been slowly improving it's big money routes and added the relatively luxurious boltbus which brings me to my suggestion. try boltbus from penn station to 30th if you're going this route. wifi with plugins, comfy seats. From Philly, the trip is usually around $100 (though it varies with demand) RT to Pittsburgh.
Still, even a 6 hour trip would be an improvement.

[Blackbeauty212]

I'm usually more about the Fastest travel, rather than the most Luxurious...I was under the impression that Amtrak from Philly to Pitt was 5-6 hours (dont ask me why) and if I would just be adding an additional hr to avoid taking greyhound...It was worth a shot...but listening to the Late Arrivals departure and the Citiculous travel, does not appeal to me!

I hate taking the Greyhound that comes down to Philly then stops in KOP and Harrisburg and Monroeville before Pittsburgh...I avoid those buses like the Plauge....

They only have a couple of direct NYC to Pittsburgh now, and I make sure I schedule myself according to one of those trips.