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Date:         Wed, 15 Aug 2012 17:11:03 -0400
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From:         Blossom Hoag <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Re: Hassles of Air Travel Push Passengers to Amtrak
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It's about time!
Blossom


On Aug 15, 2012, at 4:14 PM, Kenyon Karl wrote:

>=20
> Luke Sharrett for The New York Times
> An Amtrak Acela train after arriving at Union Station in Washington. =
More Photos =BB
>=20
> THE NEW YORK TIMES
>=20
> August 15, 2012
> Hassles of Air Travel Push Passengers to Amtrak
> By RON NIXON
> WASHINGTON =97=20
>=20
> Long a punch line for harried Northeast travelers, Amtrak has come to =
dominate commercial travel in the corridor connecting Washington, New =
York and Boston, and this summer its trains are packed.
>=20
> A decade ago, Delta and US Airways shuttles were the preferred mode of =
travel between the cities. But high fares, slow airport security and =
frequent flight delays =97 along with Amtrak=92s high-speed Acela =
trains, online ticketing and workstation amenities =97 have eaten away =
at the airlines=92 share of passengers.
>=20
> Between New York and Washington, Amtrak said, 75 percent of travelers =
go by train, a huge share that has been building steadily since the =
Acela was introduced in 2000 and airport security was tightened after =
2001. Before that, Amtrak had just over a third of the business between =
New York and Washington.
>=20
> In the same period, Amtrak said, its market share between New York and =
Boston grew to 54 percent from 20 percent.
>=20
> Nationally, Amtrak ridership is at a record 30 million people; the =
Northeast accounts for more than a third of that and is virtually the =
only portion of Amtrak=92s system that makes money.
>=20
> =93On the train, you=92ve got power outlets and Wi-Fi, you can talk on =
the phone =97 it=92s usable time,=94 said George Hamlin, an aviation =
writer and airline consultant who frequently rides Amtrak between =
Washington and New York. =93Even I=92m guilty of it,=94 he said of =
taking the train.
>=20
> By 2040, given the trends, Amtrak said traffic in the corridor could =
reach 43.5 million passengers, almost four times the level today.
>=20
> But success is taking a toll. Most days, trains in the Northeast are =
full. Several locomotives and railcars are 30 years old or more. Aging =
rails, bridges and tunnels hold down top speeds and limit expansion of =
the network.
>=20
> Last month, Amtrak unveiled an ambitious $151 billion proposal to =
speed up trains and upgrade bridges and tracks.
>=20
> But the plan is opposed by conservatives in Congress who say the =
government-subsidized railroad has been a failure and should be =
privatized. Amtrak gets about $1.3 billion a year from the government, =
but still loses money =97 $1.2 billion last year.
>=20
> =93Money has always been an issue and it will be,=94 said Joseph H. =
Boardman, president and chief executive of Amtrak. =93But we realize we =
can=92t stand still. We have a plan in place and we have to keep moving =
forward.=94
>=20
> Part of Amtrak=92s success reflects the inconvenience of air travel, =
experts say, which does not easily allow travelers to work as they move.
>=20
> Even if the air shuttles worked perfectly, there is still the cost and =
time of traveling to the airport, waiting at the gate, sitting on the =
taxiway and finally getting into the air.
>=20
> Amtrak=92s fastest train makes the trip between Washington and New =
York in 2 hours 45 minutes, while planes travel the distance in 1 hour =
20 minutes. Equivalent times for the New York-Boston trip are 3 hours 40 =
minutes for train, and 1 hour 15 minutes for plane. But transportation =
experts say adding in the ground travel and waiting times for air travel =
erases the difference. On a recent trip to Boston from New York, =
Fernando Valdes, a management consultant, said airport security was a =
main reason he decided to take the train.
>=20
> =93It=92s easier. I don=92t have to take my shoes off,=94 he said as =
he shared a drink with a friend in the Acela cafe car.
>=20
> Frequent flight delays, often caused by weather or congestion, have =
also played a role in the switch from planes to trains. Amtrak arrives =
on time 90 percent or more of the time, according to its data. Delta =
said the shuttle=92s on-time percentage is =93in the mid-80s,=94 and US =
Airways said its record was a little higher.
>=20
> The Acela has played a big role in attracting passengers in the =
Northeast. The trains averaged about 80 percent full and earned an =
operating profit of more than $200 million last year on nearly $500 =
million in revenue.
>=20
> But Acela tickets can be costly and wireless service spotty, and =
Amtrak just added a cancellation fee policy for all of its trains. Acela =
fares between New York and Washington range from an average of $145 for =
regular business class to $351 for first class; New York to Boston, $104 =
to $251; and Boston to Washington, $163 to $393.
>=20
> Non-Acela train fares between New York and Washington average $49 to =
$153 for coach and $120 to $193 for business class; New York to Boston, =
$49 to $133 for coach and $104 to $168 for business; and Boston to =
Washington, $70 to $185 coach and $144 to $233 for business class.
>=20
> At US Air, the lowest one-way coach rate between Washington and New =
York was $236 as of Wednesday, with the lowest first-class fare of $335, =
before taxes and fees. Between New York and Boston, the fares are $229 =
and $314, and Washington-Boston, $62 and $369. Corporate and other kinds =
of discounts can lower the prices.
>=20
> To accommodate demand, Amtrak wants to add cars to each of the 20 =
Acela trains now in its schedules, increasing Acela capacity 40 percent, =
the railroad said, or about 124 seats per train. Amtrak plans to add the =
new cars by 2015, and by 2020 increase the frequency of the trains =
between New York and Washington.
>=20
> But the bigger Acela trains will solve only part of the problem.
>=20
> The railroad spends about $350 million a year keeping bridges, tunnels =
and rails in working condition, said Drew Galloway, chief of Northeast =
Corridor planning and performance for Amtrak. It has replaced some older =
bridges like the 100-year-old Niantic River bridge in Connecticut so =
trains can operate at greater speeds.
>=20
> Still, Amtrak faces a $6 billion backlog in maintenance projects =
nationwide. The Obama administration has pushed for more money for =
Amtrak. But Congress has been less accommodating.
>=20
> The transportation bill passed last month did not include money for =
rail projects. Transportation advocates like Mr. Repass said this left =
Amtrak=92s budget subject to annual appropriation bills in Congress. The =
most recent transportation spending bill has not been approved.
>=20
> The lack of money, an aging infrastructure and Congressional =
opposition could provide an opening for Amtrak=92s competitors.
>=20
> BoltBus and MegaBus, two downtown, curbside services in the Northeast, =
have increased ridership since they began operating in 2008. The buses =
generally make the New York-to-Washington run in four and a half hours =
and offer free Wi-Fi. Tickets range from $1 to $40, far less than Amtrak =
or the airlines.
>=20
> Research suggests that they are eating into Amtrak=92s market share. =
According to a study by the Chaddick Institute for Metropolitan =
Development at DePaul University, 34 percent of bus riders said they =
would have taken Amtrak if not for the bus.
>=20
> =93This has been the fastest-growing mode of travel in the last four =
years,=94 said Joseph P. Schwieterman, director of the institute and the =
author of the study.
>=20
> Delta and US Airways are also making bids to get passengers back. Gail =
Grimmett, a Delta vice president, said the airline had made several =
changes in recent years to attract business travelers, including adding =
Wi-Fi for a fee to its flights connecting Washington, New York and =
Boston.
>=20
> =93The idea is to build brand loyalty. We want you to fly with us no =
matter where you are flying, not just the East Coast,=94 she said. =93The =
train can=92t take you to South Africa.=94
>=20
> US Airways=92 shuttle focuses on speed, using dedicated departure =
gates to save time in security lines and both front and rear aircraft =
doors to hasten loading, said Todd Lehmacher, a spokesman for US Airways =
in Philadelphia. It does not offer Wi-Fi.
>=20
> =93Nothing compares to air service for a quick, convenient, on-time =
experience between major cities in the Northeast,=94 Mr. Lehmacher said. =
=93US Airways shuttle allows customers to travel at three times the =
speed in less than half the time versus traditional forms of =
ground-based transportation.=94
>=20
> Still, many Northeast passengers say that security lines and the =
potential for weather delays enhance Amtrak=92s appeal to them.
>=20
> On a recent trip to New York, Peter G. Mirijanian, a Washington public =
relations consultant who usually takes Amtrak, took the plane instead to =
make a morning meeting.
>=20
> =93I get to the airport and get on the plane, and it=92s delayed for =
two hours because of weather,=94 Mr. Mirijanian said, describing his =
trip, =93so I missed the meeting. I called to say that I would not be =
able to get to be there and the first thing they say to me is, =91That=92s=
 why you should have taken the train.=92 =94
>=20
> This article has been revised to reflect the following correction:
>=20
> Correction: August 15, 2012
>=20
>=20
> An earlier version of this article referred imprecisely to the travel =
time between New York and Boston. A plane flight typically takes 1 hour =
15 minutes, compared with 3 hours 40 minutes for Amtrak=92s fastest =
train; it is when taking into account ground travel and waiting times =
that the times are similar, transportation experts say.
>=20
> Because of an editing error, the article also referred imprecisely to =
Amtrak fares in the Washington-Boston corridor. The fares cited were =
averages for two classes of Acela service, not a range for all trains on =
those routes.
>=20
>=20

=
__________________________________________________________________________=
___
Daily life in Arizona: Rosario P=E9rez, 46, a Mexican immigrant and =
legal resident ... said she carries her Social Security card wherever =
she goes because =93Yo soy morena=94 =97 =93I=92m brown=94 (New York =
Times, 26 June 2012)
=
__________________________________________________________________________=
___
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Home:  781 740 2848                                Cell:  617 412 7803   =
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<html><head></head><body style=3D"word-wrap: break-word; =
-webkit-nbsp-mode: space; -webkit-line-break: after-white-space; ">It's =
about time!<div>Blossom</div><div><br></div><div><br><div><div>On Aug =
15, 2012, at 4:14 PM, Kenyon Karl wrote:</div><br =
class=3D"Apple-interchange-newline"><blockquote type=3D"cite"><div><img =
src=3D"http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2012/08/15/business/20120815-bd=
l/20120815-bdl-articleLarge.jpg" width=3D"600" height=3D"346" alt=3D"" =
border=3D"0" style=3D"color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: georgia, =
'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 10px; line-height: 15px; =
text-align: left; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><span =
style=3D"color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:georgia,'times new =
roman',times,serif;font-size:10px;line-height:15px;text-align:left;backgro=
und-color:rgb(255,255,255)"></span><span =
style=3D"color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:georgia,'times new =
roman',times,serif;font-size:10px;line-height:15px;text-align:left;backgro=
und-color:rgb(255,255,255)"></span><span =
style=3D"color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:georgia,'times new =
roman',times,serif;font-size:10px;line-height:15px;text-align:left;backgro=
und-color:rgb(255,255,255)"></span><span =
style=3D"color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:georgia,'times new =
roman',times,serif;font-size:10px;line-height:15px;text-align:left;backgro=
und-color:rgb(255,255,255)"></span><div class=3D"credit" =
style=3D"font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:10px;line-height=
:1.223em;text-align:right;color:rgb(144,144,144);margin-bottom:3px;backgro=
und-color:rgb(255,255,255)">
Luke Sharrett for The New York Times</div><div style=3D"margin-top: 0px; =
margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-size: =
1.1em; line-height: 1.2727em; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; =
color: rgb(102, 102, 102); text-align: left; background-color: rgb(255, =
255, 255); ">
An Amtrak Acela train after arriving at Union Station in =
Washington.&nbsp;<a =
href=3D"http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2012/08/15/us/20120816_AMTRAK.htm=
l" style=3D"color:rgb(102,102,153);text-decoration:none">More Photos =
=BB</a></div></div>
<span =
style=3D"color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px">=
<div><span =
style=3D"color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:13px">=
<br></span></div>THE NEW YORK TIMES</span>
<div><br class=3D"Apple-interchange-newline"><hr size=3D"1" align=3D"left"=
 =
style=3D"clear:both;height:1px;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-b=
ottom:0px;padding-left:0px;background-image:initial;background-color:rgb(2=
04,204,204);border-top-style:none;border-right-style:none;border-bottom-st=
yle:none;border-left-style:none;border-width:initial;border-color:initial;=
line-height:0;overflow-x:hidden;overflow-y:hidden;margin-top:12px;margin-b=
ottom:8px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:14px">
<div class=3D"timestamp" =
style=3D"margin-top:15px;font-size:10px;font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-s=
erif;white-space:nowrap;color:rgb(168,24,23)">August 15, 2012</div><div =
class=3D"kicker" =
style=3D"text-transform:uppercase;margin-top:15px;font-family:arial,helvet=
ica,sans-serif;font-size:14px;line-height:1.4em">
</div><h1 =
style=3D"font-size:2.4em;margin-top:0px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:0px=
;margin-left:0px;line-height:1.083em;font-family:Georgia,serif">Hassles =
of Air Travel Push Passengers to Amtrak</h1><h6 class=3D"byline" =
style=3D"margin-top:2px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:2px;margin-left:0px=
;color:rgb(128,128,128);font-size:1em;line-height:1.2em;font-family:arial,=
helvetica,sans-serif">
By&nbsp;<span><a =
href=3D"http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/people/n/ron_n=
ixon/index.html" rel=3D"author" title=3D"More Articles by RON NIXON" =
style=3D"color:rgb(102,102,153);text-decoration:none">RON =
NIXON</a></span></h6>
<span =
style=3D"color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:14px;back=
ground-color:rgb(255,255,255)"></span><div id=3D"articleBody"><p =
style=3D"color:black;font-size:1.2em;margin-top:0px;margin-right:0px;margi=
n-bottom:1em;margin-left:0px;line-height:24px">
WASHINGTON =97&nbsp;</p><p =
style=3D"color:black;font-size:1.2em;margin-top:0px;margin-right:0px;margi=
n-bottom:1em;margin-left:0px;line-height:24px">Long a punch line for =
harried Northeast travelers,&nbsp;<a =
href=3D"http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/business/companies/amtrak/index=
.html?inline=3Dnyt-org" title=3D"More articles about Amtrak." =
class=3D"meta-org" =
style=3D"color:rgb(102,102,153);text-decoration:none">Amtrak</a>&nbsp;has =
come to dominate commercial travel in the corridor connecting =
Washington, New York and Boston, and this summer its trains are =
packed.</p><p =
style=3D"color:black;font-size:1.2em;margin-top:0px;margin-right:0px;margi=
n-bottom:1em;margin-left:0px;line-height:24px">A decade ago, Delta and =
US Airways shuttles were the preferred mode of travel between the =
cities. But high fares, slow&nbsp;<a =
href=3D"http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/subjects/a/air=
port_security/index.html?inline=3Dnyt-classifier" title=3D"More articles =
about airport security." class=3D"meta-classifier" =
style=3D"color:rgb(102,102,153);text-decoration:none">airport =
security</a>&nbsp;and frequent flight delays =97 along with Amtrak=92s =
high-speed Acela trains, online ticketing and workstation amenities =97 =
have eaten away at the airlines=92 share of passengers.</p><p =
style=3D"color:black;font-size:1.2em;margin-top:0px;margin-right:0px;margi=
n-bottom:1em;margin-left:0px;line-height:24px">Between New York and =
Washington, Amtrak said, 75 percent of travelers go by train, a huge =
share that has been building steadily since the Acela was introduced in =
2000 and airport security was tightened after 2001. Before that, Amtrak =
had just over a third of the business between New York and =
Washington.</p><p =
style=3D"color:black;font-size:1.2em;margin-top:0px;margin-right:0px;margi=
n-bottom:1em;margin-left:0px;line-height:24px">In the same period, =
Amtrak said, its market share between New York and Boston grew to 54 =
percent from 20 percent.</p><p =
style=3D"color:black;font-size:1.2em;margin-top:0px;margin-right:0px;margi=
n-bottom:1em;margin-left:0px;line-height:24px">Nationally, Amtrak =
ridership is at a record 30 million people; the Northeast accounts for =
more than a third of that and is virtually the only portion of Amtrak=92s =
system that makes money.</p><p =
style=3D"color:black;font-size:1.2em;margin-top:0px;margin-right:0px;margi=
n-bottom:1em;margin-left:0px;line-height:24px">=93On the train, you=92ve =
got power outlets and Wi-Fi, you can talk on the phone =97 it=92s usable =
time,=94 said George Hamlin, an aviation writer and airline consultant =
who frequently rides Amtrak between Washington and New York. =93Even I=92m=
 guilty of it,=94 he said of taking the train.</p><p =
style=3D"color:black;font-size:1.2em;margin-top:0px;margin-right:0px;margi=
n-bottom:1em;margin-left:0px;line-height:24px">By 2040, given the =
trends, Amtrak said traffic in the corridor could reach 43.5 million =
passengers, almost four times the level today.</p><p =
style=3D"color:black;font-size:1.2em;margin-top:0px;margin-right:0px;margi=
n-bottom:1em;margin-left:0px;line-height:24px">But success is taking a =
toll. Most days, trains in the Northeast are full. Several locomotives =
and railcars are 30 years old or more. Aging rails, bridges and tunnels =
hold down top speeds and limit expansion of the network.</p><p =
style=3D"color:black;font-size:1.2em;margin-top:0px;margin-right:0px;margi=
n-bottom:1em;margin-left:0px;line-height:24px">Last month, Amtrak =
unveiled an ambitious $151 billion proposal to speed up trains and =
upgrade bridges and tracks.</p><p =
style=3D"color:black;font-size:1.2em;margin-top:0px;margin-right:0px;margi=
n-bottom:1em;margin-left:0px;line-height:24px">But the plan is opposed =
by conservatives in Congress who say the government-subsidized railroad =
has been a failure and should be privatized. Amtrak gets about $1.3 =
billion a year from the government, but still loses money =97 $1.2 =
billion last year.</p><p =
style=3D"color:black;font-size:1.2em;margin-top:0px;margin-right:0px;margi=
n-bottom:1em;margin-left:0px;line-height:24px">=93Money has always been =
an issue and it will be,=94 said Joseph H. Boardman, president and chief =
executive of Amtrak. =93But we realize we can=92t stand still. We have a =
plan in place and we have to keep moving forward.=94</p><p =
style=3D"color:black;font-size:1.2em;margin-top:0px;margin-right:0px;margi=
n-bottom:1em;margin-left:0px;line-height:24px">Part of Amtrak=92s =
success reflects the inconvenience of air travel, experts say, which =
does not easily allow travelers to work as they move.</p><p =
style=3D"color:black;font-size:1.2em;margin-top:0px;margin-right:0px;margi=
n-bottom:1em;margin-left:0px;line-height:24px">Even if the air shuttles =
worked perfectly, there is still the cost and time of traveling to the =
airport, waiting at the gate, sitting on the taxiway and finally getting =
into the air.</p><p =
style=3D"color:black;font-size:1.2em;margin-top:0px;margin-right:0px;margi=
n-bottom:1em;margin-left:0px;line-height:24px">Amtrak=92s fastest train =
makes the trip between Washington and New York in 2 hours 45 minutes, =
while planes travel the distance in 1 hour 20 minutes. Equivalent times =
for the New York-Boston trip are 3 hours 40 minutes for train, and 1 =
hour 15 minutes for plane. But&nbsp;<a =
href=3D"http://topics.nytimes.com/top/reference/timestopics/subjects/t/tra=
nsportation/index.html?inline=3Dnyt-classifier" title=3D"More articles =
about transportation." class=3D"meta-classifier" =
style=3D"color:rgb(102,102,153);text-decoration:none">transportation</a>&n=
bsp;experts say adding in the ground travel and waiting times for air =
travel erases the difference. On a recent trip to Boston from New York, =
Fernando Valdes, a management consultant, said airport security was a =
main reason he decided to take the train.</p><p =
style=3D"color:black;font-size:1.2em;margin-top:0px;margin-right:0px;margi=
n-bottom:1em;margin-left:0px;line-height:24px">=93It=92s easier. I don=92t=
 have to take my shoes off,=94 he said as he shared a drink with a =
friend in the Acela cafe car.</p><p =
style=3D"color:black;font-size:1.2em;margin-top:0px;margin-right:0px;margi=
n-bottom:1em;margin-left:0px;line-height:24px">Frequent flight delays, =
often caused by weather or congestion, have also played a role in the =
switch from planes to trains. Amtrak arrives on time 90 percent or more =
of the time, according to its data. Delta said the shuttle=92s on-time =
percentage is =93in the mid-80s,=94 and US Airways said its record was a =
little higher.</p><p =
style=3D"color:black;font-size:1.2em;margin-top:0px;margin-right:0px;margi=
n-bottom:1em;margin-left:0px;line-height:24px">The Acela has played a =
big role in attracting passengers in the Northeast. The trains averaged =
about 80 percent full and earned an operating profit of more than $200 =
million last year on nearly $500 million in revenue.</p><p =
style=3D"color:black;font-size:1.2em;margin-top:0px;margin-right:0px;margi=
n-bottom:1em;margin-left:0px;line-height:24px">But Acela tickets can be =
costly and wireless service spotty, and Amtrak just added a cancellation =
fee policy for all of its trains. Acela fares between New York and =
Washington range from an average of $145 for regular business class to =
$351 for first class; New York to Boston, $104 to $251; and Boston to =
Washington, $163 to $393.</p><p =
style=3D"color:black;font-size:1.2em;margin-top:0px;margin-right:0px;margi=
n-bottom:1em;margin-left:0px;line-height:24px">Non-Acela train fares =
between New York and Washington average $49 to $153 for coach and $120 =
to $193 for business class; New York to Boston, $49 to $133 for coach =
and $104 to $168 for business; and Boston to Washington, $70 to $185 =
coach and $144 to $233 for business class.</p><p =
style=3D"color:black;font-size:1.2em;margin-top:0px;margin-right:0px;margi=
n-bottom:1em;margin-left:0px;line-height:24px">At US Air, the lowest =
one-way coach rate between Washington and New York was $236 as of =
Wednesday, with the lowest first-class fare of $335, before taxes and =
fees. Between New York and Boston, the fares are $229 and $314, and =
Washington-Boston, $62 and $369. Corporate and other kinds of discounts =
can lower the prices.</p><p =
style=3D"color:black;font-size:1.2em;margin-top:0px;margin-right:0px;margi=
n-bottom:1em;margin-left:0px;line-height:24px">To accommodate demand, =
Amtrak wants to add cars to each of the 20 Acela trains now in its =
schedules, increasing Acela capacity 40 percent, the railroad said, or =
about 124 seats per train. Amtrak plans to add the new cars by 2015, and =
by&nbsp;<a =
href=3D"http://travel.nytimes.com/travel/guides/north-america/united-state=
s/new-york/new-york-city/36699/2020/nightlife-detail.html?inline=3Dnyt-cla=
ssifier" title=3D"" class=3D"meta-classifier" =
style=3D"color:rgb(102,102,153);text-decoration:none">2020</a>&nbsp;increa=
se the frequency of the trains between New York and Washington.</p><p =
style=3D"color:black;font-size:1.2em;margin-top:0px;margin-right:0px;margi=
n-bottom:1em;margin-left:0px;line-height:24px">But the bigger Acela =
trains will solve only part of the problem.</p><p =
style=3D"color:black;font-size:1.2em;margin-top:0px;margin-right:0px;margi=
n-bottom:1em;margin-left:0px;line-height:24px">
The railroad spends about $350 million a year keeping bridges, tunnels =
and rails in working condition, said Drew Galloway, chief of Northeast =
Corridor planning and performance for Amtrak. It has replaced some older =
bridges like the 100-year-old Niantic River bridge in Connecticut so =
trains can operate at greater speeds.</p><p =
style=3D"color:black;font-size:1.2em;margin-top:0px;margin-right:0px;margi=
n-bottom:1em;margin-left:0px;line-height:24px">Still, Amtrak faces a $6 =
billion backlog in maintenance projects nationwide. The Obama =
administration has pushed for more money for Amtrak. But Congress has =
been less accommodating.</p><p =
style=3D"color:black;font-size:1.2em;margin-top:0px;margin-right:0px;margi=
n-bottom:1em;margin-left:0px;line-height:24px">The transportation bill =
passed last month did not include money for rail projects. =
Transportation advocates like Mr. Repass said this left Amtrak=92s =
budget subject to annual appropriation bills in Congress. The most =
recent transportation spending bill has not been approved.</p><p =
style=3D"color:black;font-size:1.2em;margin-top:0px;margin-right:0px;margi=
n-bottom:1em;margin-left:0px;line-height:24px">The lack of money, an =
aging infrastructure and Congressional opposition could provide an =
opening for Amtrak=92s competitors.</p><p =
style=3D"color:black;font-size:1.2em;margin-top:0px;margin-right:0px;margi=
n-bottom:1em;margin-left:0px;line-height:24px">BoltBus and MegaBus, two =
downtown, curbside services in the Northeast, have increased ridership =
since they began operating in 2008. The buses generally make the New =
York-to-Washington run in four and a half hours and offer free Wi-Fi. =
Tickets range from $1 to $40, far less than Amtrak or the =
airlines.</p><p =
style=3D"color:black;font-size:1.2em;margin-top:0px;margin-right:0px;margi=
n-bottom:1em;margin-left:0px;line-height:24px">Research suggests that =
they are eating into Amtrak=92s market share. According to a study by =
the Chaddick Institute for Metropolitan Development at DePaul =
University, 34 percent of bus riders said they would have taken Amtrak =
if not for the bus.</p><p =
style=3D"color:black;font-size:1.2em;margin-top:0px;margin-right:0px;margi=
n-bottom:1em;margin-left:0px;line-height:24px">=93This has been the =
fastest-growing mode of travel in the last four years,=94 said Joseph P. =
Schwieterman, director of the institute and the author of the =
study.</p><p =
style=3D"color:black;font-size:1.2em;margin-top:0px;margin-right:0px;margi=
n-bottom:1em;margin-left:0px;line-height:24px">Delta and US Airways are =
also making bids to get passengers back. Gail Grimmett, a Delta vice =
president, said the airline had made several changes in recent years to =
attract&nbsp;<a =
href=3D"http://travel.nytimes.com/travel/guides/business/overview.html?inl=
ine=3Dnyt-classifier" title=3D"" class=3D"meta-classifier" =
style=3D"color:rgb(102,102,153);text-decoration:none">business =
travelers</a>, including adding Wi-Fi for a fee to its flights =
connecting Washington, New York and Boston.</p><p =
style=3D"color:black;font-size:1.2em;margin-top:0px;margin-right:0px;margi=
n-bottom:1em;margin-left:0px;line-height:24px">=93The idea is to build =
brand loyalty. We want you to fly with us no matter where you are =
flying, not just the East Coast,=94 she said. =93The train can=92t take =
you to South Africa.=94</p><p =
style=3D"color:black;font-size:1.2em;margin-top:0px;margin-right:0px;margi=
n-bottom:1em;margin-left:0px;line-height:24px">US Airways=92 shuttle =
focuses on speed, using dedicated departure gates to save time in =
security lines and both front and rear aircraft doors to hasten loading, =
said Todd Lehmacher, a spokesman for US Airways in Philadelphia. It does =
not offer Wi-Fi.</p><p =
style=3D"color:black;font-size:1.2em;margin-top:0px;margin-right:0px;margi=
n-bottom:1em;margin-left:0px;line-height:24px">=93Nothing compares to =
air service for a quick, convenient, on-time experience between major =
cities in the Northeast,=94 Mr. Lehmacher said. =93US Airways shuttle =
allows customers to travel at three times the speed in less than half =
the time versus traditional forms of ground-based transportation.=94</p><p=
 =
style=3D"color:black;font-size:1.2em;margin-top:0px;margin-right:0px;margi=
n-bottom:1em;margin-left:0px;line-height:24px">Still, many Northeast =
passengers say that security lines and the potential for weather delays =
enhance Amtrak=92s appeal to them.</p><p =
style=3D"color:black;font-size:1.2em;margin-top:0px;margin-right:0px;margi=
n-bottom:1em;margin-left:0px;line-height:24px">On a recent trip to New =
York, Peter G. Mirijanian, a Washington public relations consultant who =
usually takes Amtrak, took the plane instead to make a morning =
meeting.</p><p =
style=3D"color:black;font-size:1.2em;margin-top:0px;margin-right:0px;margi=
n-bottom:1em;margin-left:0px;line-height:24px">=93I get to the airport =
and get on the plane, and it=92s delayed for two hours because of =
weather,=94 Mr. Mirijanian said, describing his trip, =93so I missed the =
meeting. I called to say that I would not be able to get to be there and =
the first thing they say to me is, =91That=92s why you should have taken =
the train.=92&nbsp;=94</p>
<div class=3D"articleCorrection" style=3D"margin-bottom:2.8em"><p =
style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0);margin-top:0px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:1e=
m;margin-left:0px;line-height:24px"><span class=3D"italic" =
style=3D"line-height:22px;font-style:italic">This article has been =
revised to reflect the following correction:</span></p><p =
style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0);margin-top:0px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:1e=
m;margin-left:0px;line-height:24px"><strong =
style=3D"line-height:22px;font-style:italic">Correction: August 15, =
2012</strong></p><div style=3D"color: rgb(0, 0, 0); margin-top: 0px; =
margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: =
24px; ">
<span class=3D"italic" =
style=3D"line-height:22px;font-style:italic"></span><br =
class=3D"webkit-block-placeholder"></div><p =
style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0);margin-top:0px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:1e=
m;margin-left:0px;line-height:24px">An earlier version of this article =
referred imprecisely to the travel time between New York and Boston. A =
plane flight typically takes 1 hour 15 minutes, compared with 3 hours 40 =
minutes for Amtrak=92s fastest train; it is when taking into account =
ground travel and waiting times that the times are similar, =
transportation experts say.</p><p =
style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0);margin-top:0px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:1e=
m;margin-left:0px;line-height:24px">Because of an editing error, the =
article also referred imprecisely to Amtrak fares in the =
Washington-Boston corridor. The fares cited were averages for two =
classes of Acela service, not a range for all trains on those =
routes.</p><p =
style=3D"color:rgb(0,0,0);margin-top:0px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:0p=
x;margin-left:0px;line-height:24px"></p></div></div><span =
style=3D"color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:14px;back=
ground-color:rgb(255,255,255)"></span><br =
style=3D"color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:14px">
<center =
style=3D"color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:14px"></c=
enter><div id=3D"upNextWrapper" =
style=3D"color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:14px"><di=
v id=3D"upNext" =
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p-color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:rgb(255,255,255)">
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style=3D"border-collapse: separate; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: =
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">________________________________________________________________________=
_____</div><div style=3D"word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: =
space; -webkit-line-break: after-white-space; ">Daily life in =
Arizona:&nbsp;Rosario P=E9rez, 46, a&nbsp;Mexican immigrant and legal =
resident ... said&nbsp;she carries her Social Security card =
wherever&nbsp;she goes because =93Yo soy morena=94 =97 =
=93I=92m&nbsp;brown=94&nbsp;(New York Times, 26 June 2012)</div><div =
style=3D"word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; =
-webkit-line-break: after-white-space; =
">________________________________________________________________________=
_____</div><div style=3D"word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: =
space; -webkit-line-break: after-white-space; "><div>Blossom&amp;Ethan =
Hoag &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 303 =
Linden&nbsp;Ponds Way, ET 301 &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; =
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Hingham,&nbsp;MA =
&nbsp;02043<br>Home: &nbsp;781 740 2848 &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; =
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; =
&nbsp; &nbsp;Cell:&nbsp;&nbsp;617 412 7803&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; =
&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;<a =
href=3D"mailto:[log in to unmask]">[log in to unmask]</a> =
&nbsp;&nbsp;<br>=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=
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=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D&nbsp;<br>"We do not inherit the earth from =
our&nbsp;ancestors, we borrow it from our children."&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; =
&nbsp;- Navajo =
Proverb<br></div><br></div></span></div></span></div></span></div></span><=
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