I used to take an Amtrak thruway bus from the Palm Springs Airport to Bakersfield (a six hour ride). I would board the SJ and travel to either Richmond, where I would transfer to BART, or to the end-of-the-line at Jack London Square in Oakland (about a 5 1/2 hour ride). After racing to get my favorite single seat at the end of one of the cars (single seat, but two tray tables), getting settled, getting ticket scanned, I would race to the café car to get my lunch. Yes, that was one of the highlights of my nearly 12 hour trip. On the thruway bus, once in a while if it was early at a stop, you might be able to run and get a sandwich at a nearby shop. However, I never enjoyed eating on the bus; maybe having a snack or drink that I brought with me. Unless I'm on a LD train in a sleeper where meals are included, I've always looked forward to the café car. I certainly hope they reconsider. Vending machines, YUK. Fail-safe machines? HAH!!