Happy 10th Birthday, Acela!

[^_^ 5,021]

I am yet to ride the Acela, always opting to ride the Northeast Regional to get to Washington DC (from Metropark) instead. Why? It's usually 50-60 USD cheaper and only takes 40-60 minutes longer to get there.

Amtrak’s Acela Celebrates 10th Birthday

There’s been a lot of talk recently about China’s blisteringly fast new high-speed train and about struggles in the U.S. to get on board with high-speed rail, but Amtrak would like you to know that this country’s first such train has been around for quite a while, and is in fact celebrating its 10th anniversary this month.

...

In 2010 alone, the Acela Express carried more than 3.2 million passengers and earned $440 million in ticket revenue, running an average of 80 percent full on its busiest segments during weekdays. All told, more than 25 million passengers have traveled the railway since its first day of operation.

[The_Dude 1,142]

High speed rail would be great to have, however, I just wouldn't work where I live, or any major metro area that doesn't already have rail access.

[^_^ 5,021]

High speed rail would be great to have, however, I just wouldn't work where I live, or any major metro area that doesn't already have rail access.

Yup, I think we should probably work on improving the rail infrastructure from NYC to DC and leave the rest of the country to their still underutilized highways.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Yup, I think we should probably work on improving the rail infrastructure from NYC to DC and leave the rest of the country to their still underutilized highways.

Yep, clearly underutilized. I see some spaces where you could fit another car or two...

[^_^ 5,021]

Yep, clearly underutilized. I see some spaces where you could fit another car or two...

Yes, there are pockets of congestion out in never never land. So what?

[Amby 490]

I don't miss the 405, 101, 110, 210, etc

[The_Dude 1,142]

Yup, I think we should probably work on improving the rail infrastructure from NYC to DC and leave the rest of the country to their still underutilized highways.

LOL, screw NYC to DC, lets actually construct high speed rail that is useful, like L.A. to Vegas.

[^_^ 5,021]

LOL, screw NYC to DC, lets actually construct high speed rail that is useful, like L.A. to Vegas.

Yeah because driving through the desert is so hard.

[The_Dude 1,142]

Yeah because driving through the desert is so hard.

Seriously though, I have on several occasions been on the 15 highway to or from las vegas and the traffic would make you think it was rush hour in Boston.

[Sgt. McGee 27]

Yep, clearly underutilized. I see some spaces where you could fit another car or two...

Nice photoshop, btw. Someone got a little carried away with the "clone" tool.

[^_^ 5,021]

... I have on several occasions been on the 15 highway to or from las vegas and the traffic would make you think it was rush hour in Boston.

Yeah, I know the traffic on that route is bad. There are, in all seriousness, lots of places around this country where the traffic is bad and rail or guided pathway bus could help. But nowhere do you have a contiguous territory as large as the NE Corridor.

[The_Dude 1,142]

Yeah, I know the traffic on that route is bad. There are, in all seriousness, lots of places around this country where the traffic is bad and rail or guided pathway bus could help. But nowhere do you have a contiguous territory as large as the NE Corridor.

Well, maybe if you contribute as much to the GDP as California does, then your state can get a train too.

[^_^ 5,021]

Well, maybe if you contribute as much to the GDP as California does, then your state can get a train too.

OK so I know California's pretty big but I wanted to get some numbers on it before I posted this. Here's what I found.

According to google maps, San Francisco to Los Angeles are about 400 miles apart. Hartford CT and Washington DC are about 350 miles apart.

According to a page on Wikipedia which cites the BEA, the nominal GDP's for New York, New Jersey and Connecticut alone account for 95% of the entire GDP of the state of California.

And I haven't even counted Maryland, the District of Columbia and Virginia (most of VA's economic activity is in NoVa, DC suburbs).

[The_Dude 1,142]

OK so I know California's pretty big but I wanted to get some numbers on it before I posted this. Here's what I found.

According to google maps, San Francisco to Los Angeles are about 400 miles apart. Hartford CT and Washington DC are about 350 miles apart.

According to a page on Wikipedia which cites the BEA, the nominal GDP's for New York, New Jersey and Connecticut alone account for 95% of the entire GDP of the state of California.

And I haven't even counted Maryland, the District of Columbia and Virginia (most of VA's economic activity is in NoVa, DC suburbs).

Wow, 3 states almost contribute what we do. The fact of the matter is, California is the 800 pound gorilla in the room, and it's about time we got some high speed rail up in this b!tch.

[^_^ 5,021]

Wow, 3 states almost contribute what we do. The fact of the matter is, California is the 800 pound gorilla in the room, and it's about time we got some high speed rail up in this b!tch.

The greater NYC area produces almost what the entire state of California produces. You know upstate NY doesn't make much. Next time you wanna gloat about GDP, go look for a Kansan.