Train offers affordable ride
Saturday's First Person column.
Regrettably, I know all too well the feeling of almost falling asleep at the wheel when driving on the highway for more than an hour or two. Even listening to the radio and singing so loudly that the windshield could crack any moment fail to relieve my weariness (but the two activities do pass the time).
And when I stare at the same stretch of road minute after minute on trips to Maryland to visit family, I can’t resist imagining at least a hundred things I could be doing instead of driving and spending more than $140 on the two tanks of gas it requires. But during one of these reflections, I realized that taking the train the next time I visited could rescue me from another seven-hour drive and further pain at the pump.
Even after upgrading to business class, I saved almost $40 by taking Amtrak recently as opposed to paying for the gas to drive.
It is true that the journey took an additional hour and a half, but I spent that time in comfort with my feet placed on footrests rather than gas and brake pedals and a novel in my hand instead of a steering wheel.
At any moment, I could glance out the window to witness beautiful countryside passing by without worrying about keeping an eye on the road.
According to the International Union of Railways, the United States trailed 14 other countries in passenger rail use in 2007.
Thus, it came as no surprise that when I stepped into the train terminal at the Greensboro Depot, I saw no more than 40 or 50 people over the course of an hour.
Yet Americans are constantly searching for solutions to the problem of skyrocketing gas prices when there is an alternative to driving in 46 states. Trains are never going to be the ultimate answer to the oil crisis, but for long-term travel they provide an option that is often less expensive, less trouble, and in my eyes, offers a more comfortable experience than driving.
Rather than endure another long car ride and painful gas expenses, why not catch the train instead?
You just might enjoy the ride.
— Rebecca Kabatchnick, editorial intern
Comments (4)
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I've often investigated the possibility of taking a train when I travel. I made a couple of discoveries.
Firstly, it is not cheap when it comes to long distance travel. It costs about as much as the gas would. For example: I happen to be from Maryland myself, and have family there whom I visit several times a year. The best station for me to use to get home is New Carrollton, just outside of DC. One way from Greensboro to New Carrollton is $121. Like airfare, price goes up the closer to departure time you get: this price is if I were to leave today, so it might not be that much if I planned ahead. But my trips, other than Thanksgiving, are often spur of the moment affairs.
Secondly, the trip by train would take about 8 hours. I can drive it in 5 1/2 (while I do speed a bit, I don't speed by more than 5mph because I don't want to get a ticket--the HP cuts you no slack). Gaswise, I would spend about $80 round trip (I get about 27 mpg highway).
Economically, the train does not make much sense for me. It is more expensive, I am tied to their schedule, and my family has to pick me up at the station (and New Carrollton is also a Metro station, making getting in and out difficult at some times of the day).
I would love to quit driving to Maryland. The congestion in Richmond on I-95 going north drives me insane (gotta find an alternate route). But until trains get more cost effective, I'll stick to the highway.
Posted on August 9, 2008 7:35 AM
I've often investigated the possibility of taking a train when I travel. I made a couple of discoveries.
Firstly, it is not cheap when it comes to long distance travel. It costs about as much as the gas would. For example: I happen to be from Maryland myself, and have family there whom I visit several times a year. The best station for me to use to get home is New Carrollton, just outside of DC. One way from Greensboro to New Carrollton is $121. Like airfare, price goes up the closer to departure time you get: this price is if I were to leave today, so it might not be that much if I planned ahead. But my trips, other than Thanksgiving, are often spur of the moment affairs.
Secondly, the trip by train would take about 8 hours. I can drive it in 5 1/2 (while I do speed a bit, I don't speed by more than 5mph because I don't want to get a ticket--the HP cuts you no slack). Gaswise, I would spend about $80 round trip (I get about 27 mpg highway).
Economically, the train does not make much sense for me. It is more expensive, I am tied to their schedule, and my family has to pick me up at the station (and New Carrollton is also a Metro station, making getting in and out difficult at some times of the day).
I would love to quit driving to Maryland. The congestion in Richmond on I-95 going north drives me insane (gotta find an alternate route). But until trains get more cost effective, I'll stick to the highway.
Posted on August 9, 2008 7:35 AM
Dear Panacea,
For those of us who do not own hybrid cars, the majority of cars average 24-26 miles per gallon on the highway. A one way trip to Silver Spring, Md, where I worked for many years, is 320 miles . Basically a tank full (16-18 gallons) each time, which in your average American midsize car runs about $75 a tankful of gas each one-way road trip to D.C. (making the price $150 round-trip).
As to the price you paid for the train, funny, but with the AAA's discount and perhaps the cost of a Metro ticket, it runs abut $130 ROUNDTRIP (about $20 less than it would cost to drive). Look on the AMTRAK website as to the cost of a roundtrip ticket to Union Station.
Who sold you your tickets?
Posted on August 9, 2008 6:16 PM
Greensboro to Union Station DC = 320
The Trip
320 x 2 = 640 (roundtrip)
640 / 25mpg = 25.6
25.6 x $3.95 = $101.12
"full price" Roundtrip ticket on Train- 2@$70 = $140.
AAA discounted adult tickets = $126.
Drive time (according to google) 5hrs 18min. door to door.
Train time 7.5 hours not counting travel to station and wait time.
If you don't like to drive, don't care how long it takes to get there, spend the extra money and take the train or bus. That leaves the roads open for those of us who don't mind driving, can be alert the whole time and care spend more time at our destination. Sometimes it isn't about the journey, it is about the destination. The above calculations don't mention the 3 other people in the car with luggage.
Posted on August 11, 2008 7:42 AM