Making alternative transportation part of our life style is the best way to save the most money and natural resources.
Here’s another way: Take the train!
Rail travel consumes less energy per passenger mile than car or air travel. An average train carries nearly twice as many passengers per mile as a domestic airline flight and includes dining, snack, and sleeping car amenities.
Reduction in fuel usage also reduces carbon footprint.
Although the U.S. passenger rail network is woefully underdeveloped, there are more than 500 destinations on over 21,000 miles of track. Passenger rail has broken ridership records every year for the last ten years, over 70,000 passengers on more than 300 trains daily.*
If you live in Atlanta, your options are limited, but you can still get to Washington, D.C., overnight (with connections to the rest of the U.S. or continue to New York) or Birmingham or New Orleans as a day trip.
In neighboring North Carolina, which has been investing in passenger rail for over ten years, multiple trains can take you to Charlotte, Greensboro, Durham, or Raleigh. More are planned for Asheville and other destinations – swift, comfortable (including Business Class), and cheap.
How cheap? Typical fares one-way to D.C.: Auto: $320** plus meals, motel
Air: $214 (economy), plus meals, fees, airport Rail: $170 plus meals.Typical round trip savings = more than $300.
Special fares and/or First/Business Class will change this calculation, but travel by train can be a convenient, comfortable option that saves natural resources and your money.
Have some fun, protect our environment, and save money. Vacations, too!
http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=Amtrak/HomePage
*Amtrak
**Based on the national average of cost of automobile upkeep, depreciation and fuel of $0.50 per mile.
by Howard