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And they probably promote the all-night coach rides and degraded food in AARP magazine, too!
Marketing/Promoting Amtrak
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neroden
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I'd really be extremely happy with that, as described. That would be a fine service, provided there was enough selection of sandwiches, soups, and salads to account for dietary restrictions, which would be easy.
I see Pacific Surfliner ads relatively frequently.
Advertising and promotions are, of course, tailored to specific target audiences and Amtrak is undoubtedly taking this into consideration. (We assume that they are using focus group data to create and then measure the effectiveness of their ads and promotions aimed at various target groups.)
If we were promoting long distance train travel to young people in their 20’s (who will most likely be riding in coach), among the things that we would emphasize would be how much more fuel efficient and environmentally friendly trains are per passenger mile compared to commercial airliners or private vehicles. (By choosing to take the train, they are helping to save the planet.) Other things that we would emphasis to this target audience is the availability of electrical outlets at each seat, how social distancing is being maintained, and the steps taken to ensure clean restrooms.
If we were promoting long distance train travel to baby boomers (who are more likely to be purchasing roomettes and bedrooms) we would emphasize the privacy and “social distancing” these accommodations provide. In the case of bedrooms, having a private bathroom and sink would be a major point we’d emphasize.
The advantages of train travel that we would emphasize to ALL target groups is that it allows one to enjoy the passing scenery while traveling through it, the chance to read or to write, to work or to talk with fellow passengers, its relative spaciousness, the availability of sightseer lounge cars and dining cars, and the fact that you don’t have to keep your seat, stay in one place, or even in one car. When taking the train, one doesn’t have to undergo the many inconveniences and indignities associated with air travel. Also, train travelers don’t have to worry about the traffic and watching out for other drivers on the highway.
The BEST advertisement for train travel is undoubtedly the positive comments and observations made by people who have traveled by train. If Amtrak could figure out a way to post passenger trip reports, these would probably be very effective in encouraging train travel since they often provide the essence of what makes train travel so special to many of us.
Eric & Pat
If we were promoting long distance train travel to young people in their 20’s (who will most likely be riding in coach), among the things that we would emphasize would be how much more fuel efficient and environmentally friendly trains are per passenger mile compared to commercial airliners or private vehicles. (By choosing to take the train, they are helping to save the planet.) Other things that we would emphasis to this target audience is the availability of electrical outlets at each seat, how social distancing is being maintained, and the steps taken to ensure clean restrooms.
If we were promoting long distance train travel to baby boomers (who are more likely to be purchasing roomettes and bedrooms) we would emphasize the privacy and “social distancing” these accommodations provide. In the case of bedrooms, having a private bathroom and sink would be a major point we’d emphasize.
The advantages of train travel that we would emphasize to ALL target groups is that it allows one to enjoy the passing scenery while traveling through it, the chance to read or to write, to work or to talk with fellow passengers, its relative spaciousness, the availability of sightseer lounge cars and dining cars, and the fact that you don’t have to keep your seat, stay in one place, or even in one car. When taking the train, one doesn’t have to undergo the many inconveniences and indignities associated with air travel. Also, train travelers don’t have to worry about the traffic and watching out for other drivers on the highway.
The BEST advertisement for train travel is undoubtedly the positive comments and observations made by people who have traveled by train. If Amtrak could figure out a way to post passenger trip reports, these would probably be very effective in encouraging train travel since they often provide the essence of what makes train travel so special to many of us.
Eric & Pat
Well, I’ve seen numerous reviews on Yelp and comments on social media/YouTube about how bad Amtrak is. I’m sure Amtrak has lost a few riders by that
Well, I’ve seen comments on social media/AU about how bad Amtrak food is. I’m sure Amtrak has lost a few riders by that.
Some recent reviews (since Contemporary/Flexible Dining) have actually been quite "tolerant" of the food. While they acknowledge that it used to be better, the trade-off for private space and great scenery is totally worth it.
Yes, however at the same time, there are many comments and reviews of how bad Amtrak is. Not just the food, but how unreliable and old the trains are/can be. I've also seen numerous reports of bad customer service.
jis
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When Amfleet and Superliners were new, F40s and Pooches were King and Amtrak had a real Marketing department.....
We’ve often wondered whether or not Amtrak is prepared to handle a major increase in rail passenger traffic. Once people start traveling long distances again, more of them might see the train as a better option than flying or driving their personal vehicles. If this is the case and there IS a greater demand for tickets on LD trains, would Amtrak be able to handle this demand? Seniors would probably want to book a roomette or bedroom but there are only so many of these per LD train. In a different AU Forum, we posted a thread asking for comments on the feasibility of adding more sleeping cars to LD trains or running extra trains made up of just sleeping cars. Based on the replies that were posted, we got the impression that adding extra sleeping cars to a LD train would make it too long and that Amtrak doesn’t have enough sleepers as it is. Assuming that Amtrak would come up with some brilliant marketing campaign that results in people clambering for train tickets (especially roomette and bedroom accommodations), would the system be able to handle all the requests?
Eric & Pat
Eric & Pat
What system? Like availability, meaning they will be able to get on a train? Or the booking system itself.
We were wondering more about there being sufficient onboard accommodations for everyone who wants them. But come to think of it, the booking system would also have to be up to handling more requests for tickets.
I think it should be fine, as there have been full trains in the past during peak times. As long as the consist is the same, I don't see any reason it wouldn't be sufficient
We often wonder how many people call Amtrak hoping to book a roomette or bedroom and then find that these accommodations are all sold out (particularly during peak travel times.) We always book our bedrooms 6 months or so in advance to be sure of getting the dates we want. We would image that most people wait 60 to 90 days before they want to travel to make their reservations. By then, they could very well be out of luck in obtaining roomettes and bedrooms for the dates they want. (We’ve learned this the hard way.) During the so-called “golden era” of rail passenger service, the railroads would add extra cars and even extra sections (i.e. additional trains) to accommodate the demand for tickets. If Amtrak is serious about running promotions that will attract more riders, shouldn’t it be considering ways to accommodate an increased demand for roomettes and bedrooms?
Dakota 400
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There is a finite number of sleepers just as is there is a finite number of seats on a plane or staterooms on a cruise ship or rooms in a hotel. If people find it challenging to book an Amtrak trip because of increased demand, psychologically, that might be perceived as an Amtrak trip is something "to be desired" which could only help Amtrak's reputation, in my opinion.
WE certainly look upon our long-distance Amtrak trips as “something to be desired,” but is there not some danger that people who are unable to obtain the accommodations they want when they want them will give up on Amtrak? To be successful, a business needs to identify a need and then fill it. If it appears that, in the post COVID era there is an emerging need for more roomettes and bedrooms on long distance trains, shouldn’t Amtrak take the necessary steps to fill this need?
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Yes, that's true. In a private company, management can go to its board and show them the return on investment (ROI) and the board can decide to borrow, sell more stock or otherwise raise the money. Those board hacks are motivated by $$$ so anything that makes more $$$ entices them because those $$$ entice the shareholders.
Unfortunately, Amtrak's real board is our elected officials - a miserly group of mostly hacks who think only of those who donate the biggest amounts to their perennial re-election concerns and so fight each other over every nickel and dime while spending zillions on things that enough of them agree that helps re-election. If the execs fail, they are given a big buyout and forced out.
Amtrak's local board and executives are hired by those hacks so are beholden to them and not to the real shareholders (the people) so Amtrak never knows if it will have the money to buy anything. If Amtrak's execs fail, they are replaced and the hacks blame Amtrak, not the execs for the problem and propose more cuts to that "wasteful problem" in the hopes it will go away.
Look at Brightline vs any transit system or Amtrak. Brightline quietly buys up the land around where it wants to build stations making zillions on the land even if they lose money on the train. Transit systems put stations and Amtrak adds service where the politicos want who have already told their big donors (or potential big donors) where to buy the land, insuring that the systems will have to pay top dollar for it. You don't think any of those other potential passenger rail companies (in Texas and the original Las Vegas line) weren't deciding where the stations would be based on who gives the best tax break, who could they buy the land cheap from to develop it or who will co-develop property for a cut to the railroad, do you?
Amtrak is buying enough cars and engines to replace SOME of the old tired out ones. They are not buying lots of extras to dramatically increase their service because the politicos won't provide it, Amtrak can't offer big "donations" to grease the way, and its competition - airlines and politicos supporting the local airports; and car manufacturers, road builders and the politicos who depend on them , don't want them to expand.
Do you see funding for rebuilding the replaced P42s, the replaced VLIs, the tired out Superliners? So Amtrak will sell them off for scrap and we will be no further ahead on expanding the service. They had a wonderful opportunity during the past year with reduced service to rebuild old cars and engines. They did not. They have no money and probably have no more than two years to get it before the anti-Amtrakers take over one of the houses of congress, killing any future moneys except for a tradeoff for far more road and airport money.
Amtrak needs a lot more big bucks, not only for infrastructure but to buy more VL2s or equivalent and rebuild the VL1s and the Superliners.
All along we rather suspected that Amtrak exists, not to expand its customer base and operate at a profit, but to fulfill a requirement with a minimum amount of effort.
We are both from the “baby boomer” generation, and it is our belief that a good many other “boomers” would consider using the train for their long-distance travel. We’re old enough to remember what train travel was like prior to the arrival of Amtrak and have many positive associations with “taking the train.” We don’t like the many inconveniences and indignities that are now associated with air travel. Many of us are now retired and can spend the extra day or two it takes to reach our destination. (Taking the train IS faster than driving.) Most of us can afford to pay for roomette or bedroom accommodations. (Bedrooms, with their private bathrooms are particularly appealing to us now that COVID has become an issue.) Since we represent a rather sizable share of the population, a best effort should be made to ensure that the accommodations we want (i.e. roomettes and bedrooms) are available when we call to make our reservations.
Eric & Pat
We are both from the “baby boomer” generation, and it is our belief that a good many other “boomers” would consider using the train for their long-distance travel. We’re old enough to remember what train travel was like prior to the arrival of Amtrak and have many positive associations with “taking the train.” We don’t like the many inconveniences and indignities that are now associated with air travel. Many of us are now retired and can spend the extra day or two it takes to reach our destination. (Taking the train IS faster than driving.) Most of us can afford to pay for roomette or bedroom accommodations. (Bedrooms, with their private bathrooms are particularly appealing to us now that COVID has become an issue.) Since we represent a rather sizable share of the population, a best effort should be made to ensure that the accommodations we want (i.e. roomettes and bedrooms) are available when we call to make our reservations.
Eric & Pat
