Amtrak station getting more business

[Dapperdan]

http://www.firstcoastnews.com/news/local/article/214394/3/Jacksonville-Amtrak-Stattion-Sees-More-Riders


I think they would get even more if they moved to "The Prime" . This article makes me think very seriosuly about taking an Amtrak trip to Miami or something and bring my Kindle. Has anyone used Amtrak from Jacksonville? Is it worth it?

[Tacachale]

^I used to take the train to Winter Park with my grandmother when I was a kid. It was definitely worth it for that; it was much easier for her to drive from Neptune beach to the train station, rather than all the way to Winter Park for a simple trip. Plus it was much more fun than a car ride as a kid.

I think they'd definitely do more business if they were in the Prime Osbourne, if only because people would know how to get to it easier.

[Jaxson]

That is a great question, Dapperdan.  I have been traveling with Amtrak since I was a kid and have been to Florence SC, Baltimore, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Tampa, Orlando, Grand Rapids MI, Portland ME, and other places over the years.  I do not have much to say about our current Amtrak station, but I have been very pleased by my train trips for the following reasons:
1. The price has been reasonable as long as I book in advance.
2. When going to larger cities (e.g. New York), I am already in the vicinity of my lodging as opposed to coming in from the airport.
3. The amenities on the train are much nicer than on the plane.  I can move freely about the train, have a snack or meal and socialize with other passengers.
4. When traveling within the state, the cost of a train ticket is worth not having to pay for gas or having to pay for more wear and tear on my car.  Besides, the traffic in Central Florida is enough reason for me to take the train.
5. As a teacher, I am not in a hurry to get somewhere over the summer.  Why not take a casual train trip instead of going through the stressful hassles (e.g. paying extra for checked luggage, dealing with intrusive security checkpoints) of flying?
I recommend taking the train to anyone who wants to try a different way to travel...

P.S. - I agree with the previous poster.  The current Amtrak facility is still a well-kept secret from many who would otherwise take the train...

[coredumped]

Jaxson is 100% correct, book early or it won't be worth the cost. If you're riding by yourself it's usually cheaper to go by train, even if you stay in state (I take it to tampa).

It's much more relaxing than driving, you can stretch out pretty good. It's a bit depressing going from our station to others (say orlando) to see how nasty our station is.

[Rynjny]

The location of the station sucks.. Move it to downtown.

[jcjohnpaint]

Yeah I bet ridership would more than double if moved downtown.  Easy

[Lunican]

Intra-state trips would be much better served by an Amtrak corridor service similar to Amtrak California. Right now Florida is relying on two long distance Amtrak trains to serve regional distances.

This is a problem because the train you want to take from Jacksonville to Orlando originates 20 hours and 1,000 miles earlier in New York City. The delays pile up over the distance and now a 3 hour trip to Orlando is delayed 5 hours.

A corridor service could originate in Jacksonville and provide much more reliable service within the state.

[thelakelander]

The corridor services stimulate TOD as well. Last week, I watched Amtrak Pacific Surfliner riders get off trains and walk directly to apartments and condos next to stations in small towns between LA and San Diego. I think a corridor service linking Jax with other Florida cities would be more viable than regional commuter rail.

[exnewsman]

The corridor services stimulate TOD as well. Last week, I watched Amtrak Pacific Surfliner riders get off trains and walk directly to apartments and condos next to stations in small towns between LA and San Diego. I think a corridor service linking Jax with other Florida cities would be more viable than regional commuter rail.

Lake - are you talking about the FEC rail plan? If so, do you know the status of that project?

[JeffreyS]

The corridor services stimulate TOD as well. Last week, I watched Amtrak Pacific Surfliner riders get off trains and walk directly to apartments and condos next to stations in small towns between LA and San Diego. I think a corridor service linking Jax with other Florida cities would be more viable than regional commuter rail.

It would be more viable at first Lake but do less good for development in the long run.  Both are positives however.

[thelakelander]

I think it could stimulate just as much, if not more TOD because it would have more frequent service seven days a week as opposed to weekday AM/PM rush hours. It wouls also benefit a much larger population making it easier to get off the ground, along with being easier to implement considering Amtrak's involvement. Such a service would also pave the way for complementing localized commuter rail in the long run. I say off of this with a point of view that considers a corridor service as a hybrid combining intercity and commuter rail operating characteristics.

[thelakelander]

Lake - are you talking about the FEC rail plan? If so, do you know the status of that project?

Yes. However, I don't have an update other then them still seeking funding.

[tufsu1]

Yeah I bet ridership would more than double if moved downtown.  Easy

any empirical eveidence on that?  Are you saying that just because of the location in a bad neighborhood or the fact that the station looks like a trailer?

I mean, would the airport double in passengers if moved closer to downtown?

[yapp1850]

in tampa someday i hope sunrail came to tampa  and more amtrak corrridor type trains to miami,orlando,jacksoville,atlanta

[thelakelander]

I doubt Sunrail will make it to Tampa. CSX isn't interested in that. However, an Amtrak corridor service could easily be done for cheaper and provide Tampa will better service.