Rail fans rush to train's defense
By: DAVE DOWNEY - Staff Writer | ∞
When we chronicled Michael Kennedy's negative experience with Amtrak a couple weeks back, and how it drove him to give up on the train, several of you rushed to the defense of rail.
Kennedy, as you may recall, is the semi-retired Orange County surgeon who was counting on Amtrak to drop him in San Diego in time to catch the last jet headed for Tucson, Ariz., where he has a second home. But on one Friday night in October, Amtrak was an hour late and he almost missed his flight.
A recurring theme in e-mail comments was surprise that he jumped ship so quickly.
The thoughts expressed by Diane Scholfield of Oceanside were representative.
"I must be missing the logic of Michael Kennedy's decision to abandon his use of Amtrak because it was late once," Scholfield said. "Here he was using it time after time, the train is serving him well, it's late one time and he decides, 'That's it! I'm driving from now on.'"
She's got a point. Would we park our cars after one bad ride to work? I don't recall seeing a sharp drop-off in traffic the day after an accident shut down one of our freeways.
Scholfield went on to suggest that, while the train is far from perfect, we need to keep its performance in perspective.
"Is there any mode of transportation less reliable as far as keeping to a timetable than a car in Southern California?" she asked.
According to Vernae Graham, a spokeswoman for Amtrak in Oakland, the national passenger railroad's performance is actually improving, if only slightly. Its Pacific Surfliner trains, the ones that travel between San Diego and San Luis Obispo, were on schedule 76 percent of the time last fiscal year, which ended Sept. 30, up from 73 percent a year earlier.
Running on time three out of four days isn't exactly something to write home about. But on the other hand, can you count on a timely auto commute three-quarters of the time?
Commuting aside, retiree Bernice Reda of Temecula says Amtrak is a great way to travel across the country, if one exercises a little patience.
"Seeing our country is worth the time spent," Reda said. "We have traveled with writers, professors, ranchers, clergymen, students and even Diane Keaton. Cross country train travel is not for those in a hurry, but I hope that it will continue so that I may take all my grandchildren to see the red hills in New Mexico, the Berkshire Mountains of Massachusetts and the Atlantic sea coast."
Readers are encouraged to ask questions and submit ideas for commuter columns. Staff writer Dave Downey may be reached at (760) 740-5442 or ddowney@nctimes.com. For the latest traffic conditions, go to www.nctimes.com/traffic.
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Greg in Oceanside wrote on Nov 27, 2006 2:33 PM:As a frequent Coaster rider, I too have experienced some delays on rare occasions. But, for the most part, I'm totally happy with the train service. Almost all delays seem to be the result of events beyond the control of the NCTD and their contractor, so I've accepted the fact that we don't live in a perfect world. Like many who use the train service, I'm just glad we have train service available, as well as the shuttles waiting for me in Sorrento Valley to take me to my office. If you're an infrequent passenger, don't complain, it's one of the best things going if you'd like to save some aggravation.
Martin wrote on Nov 29, 2006 4:28 PM:Unfortunately, during the downturn in business after the completion of the interstate highway system and economic slowdown in the 70s, the railroads reduced precious capacity to lower maintenance costs. Abandonment of secondary routes for slower traffic has placed all the industry's eggs in a few baskets and that means unless the federal gov't (and the people) realize that railroad routes are part of both a strategic and economic infrastructure. Once removed or abandoned, the costs are enormous to replace what was there. We must get the railroads what they need to do their job and fulfill their reponsibility to the public in moving passenger trains expeditiously. We must refocus our military defense contractors on civilian projects such as high-speed passenger rail transportation so they'll stop starting wars to stay in business. Thanks
Walt wrote on Dec 1, 2006 8:07 AM:One might ask why Dr. Kennedy comes to San Diego from Orange Co. to fly to Tucson in the first place? Why not John Wayne or Long Beach? I suggest his decision to give up on trains is simply expression of the human trait to want to be in charge of one's destiny. Autos encounter breakdown and congestion too. But alternatives are under an individual's control, and frequently succeed. That, and flexibility of travel time and time origin, are the fundamentals behind the evolution away from mass transit, originally designed for bulk cargo, to the individual services automobiles provide. Martin should recognize that is why train use has been replaced. As for long distance sightseeing by train, indeed that falls into entertainment. Lease a few scenic routes to Disney, and a big slice of Amtrak subsidy can be eliminated.
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