How do multi-segment trips work for multi-ride passes?

[BCL]

I was looking up some stuff and realized that it's possible to book multi-ride or monthly passes for trips that can only be accomplished with one or more bus ride segments. I vaguely remember finding that option years ago when Amtrak still had multi-ride passes on live tickets (could only be on Amtrak ticket stock) with spots for a conductor to use a hole punch. Back when the tickets were punched, I don't think the bus drivers had any means to punch a hole. Not sure how that would work anyways.

An example would be a 10-ride for Emeryville to Reno, which can be done (unreserved) on Capitol Corridor to Sacramento and then a bus to Reno. California Zephyr is specifically excluded. Right now that's $407. One-way is $76, so it's a pretty substantial discount.

I suppose RideReserve might take some of the guess work out of it for most routes. That would clearly be reserving a complete ride with all segments. but it's still possible to get a 10/6-ride or monthly for Pacific Surfliner or Capitol Corridor where it might need a bus ride to complete the route.

 

[caravanman]

I think for Amtrak, the "segment" aspect of journeys is quite recent, and seems to apply only to the monthly rail pass tickets. When you buy a regular ticket from A to B, even though it may mention the "segments", it just means changes of vehicle.
I assume that with a non-rail pass ticket such as the multi ride between 2 specific stations, there is no "segment" restriction aspect to those tickets.

I haven't used those multi ride tickets myself, the above is my best guess!

 

[BCL]

I think for Amtrak, the "segment" aspect of journeys is quite recent, and seems to apply only to the monthly rail pass tickets. When you buy a regular ticket from A to B, even though it may mention the "segments", it just means changes of vehicle.
I assume that with a non-rail pass ticket such as the multi ride between 2 specific stations, there is no "segment" restriction aspect to those tickets.

I haven't used those multi ride tickets myself, the above is my best guess!

I have, but only for rides on Capitol Corridor at a time when I was working in Silicon Valley. However, those were exclusively by train without transferring.

My question was really more about the mechanics of it if the only way to travel a certain route is to transfer to another train or to bus. My use of "segment" was really meant to describe transferring on one ride. I'm wondering how they sort out the transfer. And especially what bus drivers do when they see an unreserved multi-ride as the first leg of a ride (like San Francisco to Emeryville to Sacramento).

Obviously with RideReserve one is pretty much booking a ticket for a complete ride. But imagine someone with an Emeryville to Los Angeles 10-ride ticket. And yes that can be booked. Apparently it would need to be attached to the Pacific Surfliner (unreserved) or San Joaquins (reserved) where there are several routes per day. But not valid on the Coast Starlight, which would be a single train segment.



I would think maybe it would make more sense to require such a ride must go through RideReserve even on unreserved routes. Then the reservation would be like any other ticket on that route, where they see travel segments that haven't been used yet.

 

[caravanman]

RideReserve is a new term for me, I will have to stop offering "advice" on here and re-educate myself with current procedures!

I notice on your screenshot, above, it has a "multi ride terms and conditions" link, but I do know Amtrak clouds the waters often when we seek clarity...

 

[BCL]

RideReserve is a new term for me, I will have to stop offering "advice" on here and re-educate myself with current procedures!

I notice on your screenshot, above, it has a "multi ride terms and conditions" link, but I do know Amtrak clouds the waters often when we seek clarity...

Easy enough to find. It's actually not that complicated. Now that I looked at it closer, there might be a requirement to "reserve", even on unreserved trains like Pacific Surfliner or Capitol Corridor. But there was a time when it wasn't required.

https://www.amtrak.com/services/con...ditions.html#ticketsAndPasses-multiRidePasses​

​

Multi-Ride Passes​

• Multi-Ride pass holders need to confirm each trip (train and date) with RideReserve prior to traveling.
• Monthly passes are non-transferable.
• Six-ride passes are non-transferable.
• Monthly passes will be canceled automatically, and refund limits will be imposed, if passes are not picked-up on or before the first day of the valid travel month.
• Ten-ride passes are non-transferable on most routes. On Pacific Surfliner, more than one person may use a ten-ride passes at one time.
• Seating is limited. Seats may not be available on all trains at all times.

Multi-Ride Restricted Trains​

Multi-ride passes are not valid on the following trains:​

• Acela (all trains)
• Northeast Regional
  • Trains 135, 156
  • Trains 83, 93 - Not permitted between New York City & Philadelphia, PA and intermediate cities.
  • Trains 84, 87, 94, 95, 194 - Not permitted between New London, CT & Washington, DC and intermediate cities.
• California Zephyr 5, 6
• Cardinal 50, 51
• Carolinian
  • Trains 79, 80 - Not permitted between New York City & Washington, DC and intermediate cities.
• City of New Orleans 58, 59
• Coast Starlight 11, 14
• Crescent 19, 20
• Empire Builder 7, 8, 27, 28, 807, 808
• Lake Shore Limited 48, 49
• Palmetto
  • Trains 89, 90 - Only permitted between New York City & Washington, DC and intermediate cities.
• Silver Meteor 97, 98
• Silver Star 91, 92
• Southwest Chief 3, 4
• Vermonter
  • Train 56 - Not permitted between New York City & Philadelphia, PA and intermediate cities.

Being able to use them for groups on Pacific Surfliner can save a bit of money. I've seen fairly large groups going from LA or Ventura to Santa Barbara to go winery/wine bar hopping. Some were inebriated on way. But Los Angeles to Santa Barbara is (fixed-fare) $31 one-way, but $185 for a 10-ride pass. Just three people using a 10-ride round trip is cheaper than individually ($186). I guess it's worth doing the math with different numbers of passengers in a group.

There was a time when these 10 or 6-ride and monthly tickets could only be on Amtrak ticket stock and were among the last "live" tickets that couldn't be replaced if lost. I could order them online, but had to either pick them up in person or at Quik-Trak with a receipt with a barcode. I could also buy in person or at Quik-Trak. A Quik-Trak machine once malfunctioned on me as it printed a 10-ride ticket. The ticket was mostly printed, but not about 25%, including about half the barcode. The ticket was just sticking out there. I just pulled it out and tried using it. Apparently it was still good, but conductors had to look up the ticket number manually. The other thing about them was when my last ride was used, conductors would tear off the stub, place two punches in the stub, punch the main part of the ticket, and keep the ticket and hand the stub to the passenger. If there was Amtrak Guest Rewards, the ticket had to be processed at the main office before points showed up.