by exvalley
The simple reality is that the traveling public has been conditioned to accept these fees. Anderson knows that.
Railroad Forums
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exvalley wrote: ↑Tue Dec 17, 2019 3:10 pm The simple reality is that the traveling public has been conditioned to accept these fees. Anderson knows that.I have my doubts that it is even anderson's idea or that they have thought through how it affects all of their services. a good executive sets broad goals and lets managers figure out the details. I believe, that while anderson likely has final say on a lot of big decisions, his goal is to eliminate the operating loss rather than implement a specific agenda.
exvalley wrote: ↑Tue Dec 17, 2019 1:04 pm Let me try to make this very simple because you don't seem to appreciate the scope of my argument.The fees will indeed be based on those tiers. Saver fares essentially become nonrefundable while value fares get the fees. Nothing is changing from the previous model for flexible fares and premium fares (corridor/long distance business, Northeast Regional business, sleeper). So for that higher 198 fare you aren't subject to the same restrictions or the new fees.
As of right now, Amtrak is offering the following coach fares for train #449 between Albany and Chicago on November 11, 2019.
Saver: $82
Value $103
Flexible: $198
Here is my point: Amtrak should offer something of value in exchange for the customer paying a higher fare. In other words, someone who purchases the Value fare should receive something of value above and beyond what the Saver fare offers. And someone purchasing the Flexible fare should receive something of value above and beyond what the Saver and Value fares offer.
I really don't think that this is contentious. If you spend more you should get more. My position is pro-consumer in that regard.
Suburban Station wrote: ↑Tue Dec 17, 2019 3:19 pmunfortunately there is no (rail) competition in the northeast so we are left to either take or leave rail based on amtrak's performance.In a few places there fortunately is.
I have typically supported amtrak in the past but with ideas like this, it may be time to force them to compete a little harder.indeed!
Tadman wrote: ↑Wed Dec 18, 2019 11:07 am That's what all the other low fare carriers do, air or otherwise. There is no real low fare service other than a city bus.there are hundreds of intercity buses a day plying the interstate that contradict this statement. other than that, it is exactly the type of policy low fare carriers like intercity bus lines and frontier airways offer with the main difference that the fare is actually low.
exvalley wrote: ↑Wed Dec 18, 2019 11:26 am Well said. Amtrak is not doing anything groundbreaking here. The sky will not fall.that goes without saying, the folks at 1 mass aren't known for breaking new ground.
exvalley wrote: ↑Wed Dec 18, 2019 4:36 pm Amtrak is not in competition with busses, at least along the Northeast Corridor. They have absolutely no desire in chasing the customer who is only willing to pay $14 to get from Boston to New York.Amtrak is in competition with cars and buses. There are plenty of people who would be fine paying a more reasonable premium than what is now charged.
exvalley wrote: ↑Wed Dec 18, 2019 4:36 pm Amtrak is not in competition with busses, at least along the Northeast Corridor. They have absolutely no desire in chasing the customer who is only willing to pay $14 to get from Boston to New York.Agreed. Amtrak is at capacity in corridor services, especially during peak times like holidays, fridays, etc... Their ticket prices are 3-5x that of megabus. Asserting that they're in competition with those busses is like asserting that Walmart flipflops are in competition with Air Jordans for athletic wear. Yeah, they're both footwear, but nobody is playing ball in flippies...
Suburban Station wrote: ↑Wed Dec 18, 2019 5:45 pm Amtrak is in competition with cars and buses. There are plenty of people who would be fine paying a more reasonable premium than what is now charged.Your second sentence completely refutes your first sentence.
Arborwayfan wrote: ↑Thu Dec 19, 2019 10:25 amWho Amtrak is in competition with is another thing; it's imposed by the market, that is, by passenger desires, the price of substitutes and complements, Willingess to Pay and so on.Sorry, but Gucci is not in competition with Target. Maybe from a pedantic perspective, but definitely not from a practical perspective.