tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30130444.post5957662243629726441..comments2024-02-16T09:00:32.845-06:00Comments on FromDC2Iowa: Public Transportation and Energy PolicyUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30130444.post-75465940698817226082008-08-11T13:31:00.000-05:002008-08-11T13:31:00.000-05:00I would be interested in a report on a trip via Am...I would be interested in a report on a trip via Amtrak to DC. <BR/><BR/>Our experience is that short trips via Amtrak are more likely to be pleasant than a longer trips. You should assume that Amtrak will not be on time with delays of about eight hours for long trips not uncommon. <BR/><BR/>If you know in advance that delays of several hours are possible you can compensate but when they get as large as eight hours your plans can get badly messed up. We took Amtrak to Sacramento and back and the scenery and the Amtrak staff were wonderful but we will never do that again because of the delays and equipment failures.<BR/><BR/>We took a high speed train from Paris to Rennes several years ago and it was a wonderful experience. Every seat was taken and the ride was as smooth as silk.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30130444.post-52823620271502544952008-08-11T09:16:00.000-05:002008-08-11T09:16:00.000-05:00Amtrak is experiencing rapid growth, especially in...Amtrak is experiencing rapid growth, especially in shorter direct city to city routes. Some states have started partnering with Amtrak on routes. This is the case with the coming route from Chicago to Iowa City and beyond to Des Moines. I predict this will be very popular route, with full trains almost all the time. A business traveler from Des Moines could leave at 7:30 AM, arrive in downtown Chicago at Union Station at 12:30 to 1 PM, have an afternoon meeting, depart again at 5:30 and get home at 11 PM. The time on the train could be used for work time or relaxing as Nick says. It sounds like a winner to me. I won't fly now unless it is a great distance. It is just an unpleasant experience.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com