ExCon90 wrote: ↑Mon Jul 19, 2021 8:45 pm
We may have reached the point where the market can support two levels of service, as suggested above, with expresses breaking the 90-minute barrier PHL-HBG by skipping as many intermediate stations (except Paoli and Lancaster) as necessary to achieve that, followed about 10 minutes later by a stopping train (best not call them locals) making all intermediate stations offering significant ridership potential. It wouldn't be the first time that additional revenue exceeded the additional cost.
I could see there being an hourly service Harrisburg to Philly, and then an hourly express which goes on to NYC - and as today, churn at Philly enables seats to be sold twice.
Or maybe the other service could run down to DC, if there was a slot? And it could make the Newark/Aberdeen slots occasionally - although those folks may want NYC.
And then Septa for truly local service.