Why Use Buses When Trains Cost So Much More? ( Maine to Mass )

Antiplanner ^ | December 4th, 2009

[george76]

While the route of the Downeaster is 116 miles, it is considered a commuter train and was subsidized by the Federal Transit Administration, so it is in the National Transit Database. Amtrak timetables indicate the train makes five round trips each day (which means two train sets each make 2-1/2 round trips). The 2008 transit database reports that it carries an average of 492 passengers each weekday, and slightly more on Saturdays and Sundays. That means the average train carries about 50 people. Since not everyone goes the whole distance, the average number of people on board at any given time will be somewhat less.

This means that two 55-seat buses could handle all of the people carried by the Amtrak train. Allowing for variability in traffic demand might require four buses (two each way) on some trips. Better yet, four buses could offer twice the frequency provided by Amtrak. Those buses would cost about $2 million and fares would easily cover their operating costs.

[MNDude]

And guess what. If it costs more, than it ultimately requires more energy to sustain as well.

A million dollars of tax-payer subsidies comes from thousands of tax payers commuting daily in stop and go traffic to make it so.

[bIlluminati]

What? This wasn't posted by Willie Green? I'm shocked!

[Paladin2]

Yeah, buses represent much less of an investment and are just too flexible in their potential routings.

[gthog61]

I want to apply for a government grant to get a few million dollars to see why liberals are so obsessed with trains. My application will be in the bag when I add that I am going to investigate whether minorities and women are more frequently afflicted with the train obsession.

[Willie Green]

What? This wasn't posted by Willie Green? I'm shocked!

I don't waste my time posting the delusional rantings of some libertarian blogger.

[UNGN]

I would guess the Carbon Footprint of the that Train per passenger mile is 10X to 20X of a Bus on the same route.

But I thought trains were green...

[Yo-Yo]

Yeah, buses represent much less of an investment and are just too flexible in their potential routings.

I never could figure out why busses displaced streetcars. Oh yeah, greedy GM killed the streetcar.

[cameraeye]

I had to stop and think of what it means to have a “carbon footprint”, the I took a breathe. No more words need to be said.

[Leisler]

Money talks, Willie walks.

[VRWCmember]

It points out the inefficiency and cost disadvantages of trains, so there is your answer.

[FreedomNotSafety]

Easy answer. Trains run between two fixed points. How better to corral people?

[Grut]

From the article:

What do we get for this subsidy? According to one report, we get transit-oriented developments — but I’ll believe it when I see it; most TODs require subsidies of their own on top of the transit subsidies.

To Maine's business community, an 'opportunity' is anything with a subsidy attached.

[massgopguy]

This train has got a Bar Car this train
This train has got a Bar Car this train
And as this train goes down the line
I’m gonna help myself to beer and wine
This train has got a Bar Car this train

[Olog-hai]

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And guess what. If it costs more, than it ultimately requires more energy to sustain as well. A million dollars of tax-payer subsidies comes from thousands of tax payers commuting daily in stop and go traffic to make it so

---

You sure about that? There's a reason why this sign is on so many highways.



The money for that train doesn't come from the highway trust fund. Neither does the money from ARRA going into the highways.

I'm no Libertarian, but I do believe that the government needs to get out of all transportation, no matter what mode. The railroads have been regulated to death, so they can't compete with the government-subsidized highways and airports when it comes to transporting passengers.

[VRWCmember]

Ah, too bad we can’t bring back the stage coach. Now there was some quality transportation for you.

[Wonder Warthog]

"I don't waste my time posting the delusional rantings of some libertarian blogger."

Perhaps not, but you "do" spend an inordinate amount of time posting the blathering of leftist/socialist/green bloggers when they talk about trains.

[Willie Green]

No, I generally avoid bloggers of all stripes.
Why would I want to post somebody else's vanity rant when I could easily just write my own?
I primarily post published articles from legitimate mainstream publications.

[Cacique]

Trains require a humongous government work force, unionization and registration in the democrat party.

[Noob1999]

............Ah, too bad we can’t bring back the stage coach. Now there was some quality transportation for you.................

Now, right there is a wonderful image!

They talk about “less desirables” riding the bus.

Think about spending a few days bouncing along next to a guy who hasn’t taken a bath for many, many moons, eating dust, behind some sweaty horses taking dumps along the way!