by Arlington
MattW wrote:Except for the fact that the lowest price I could find for an airline direct ROA-WAS was $* round trip while it was only $* LYH-WAS (even if it doubled to ROA, that's still way cheaper) and the lowest price for ROA-NYP was $* vs. Amtrak's $*. Yea, it's longer, sure there (slightly) cheaper 1-transfer airline fares, but price wise, looks like Amtrak wins for a Roanoke train.I don't want MattW's point to be lost...it is a good one, but not (in my opinion) quite enough to say ROA is "better" than LYH. Let's just say that ROA-WAS is the worst-case scenario looked at because it has ZERO effective price competition...only United flies nonstop, and flying on US or DL requires back-tracking through PHL/ LGA or ATL. So, yes, ROA-IAD nonstop fares are 25x LYH-WAS train fares and ROA-(NEC) connecting fares are 20x. ....but if you are a solo business traveler who can pass the ticket cost on, well, if you're in ROA, you're going to fly commercial, and if you have a party of 3 or 4 in either LYH or ROA (and can bill somebody) you're also going to charter and fly.
Edit by Moderator: No fare reporting. Check the forum rules, please. Dave Becker
As bad as airfares are from ROA they are still cheaper than the airfares from LYH.
I'm not saying ROA service wouldn't work, I'm just saying it won't be the same fabulous return on investment that just getting to LYH has been. Amtrak service to ROA would probably have the effect of lowering airfares and splitting the market (not eliminating the airlines as competition). Service to LYH still has the virtue of having no air competition at any price short of chartering a plane.
"Trying to solve congestion by making roadways wider is like trying to solve obesity by buying bigger pants."--Charles Marohn