Wild price variations - Amtrak Coach vs Bus

[Willbridge]

Studying alternatives can really pay off. Greyhound has a commission agent in Deming, so passengers can check baggage and buy tickets with cash, ask for assistance, etc. Buses depart twice daily in each direction on the COVID schedule.

Minimum fares from Deming, NM as of 19 March 2021

On Saturday, March 20th:

to New York City - GL = $223 Sold Out two buses
to New York City - ATK = "No service"
to Dallas - GL = $279 One seat left on first bus, Sold Out on second bus
to Dallas - ATK = $335 One roomette left, Sold Out in coach
to Houston - GL = $265 One seat left on first bus, Sold Out on second bus
to Houston - ATK = $109
to Los Angeles - GL = $270
to Los Angeles - ATK = "No service"

On Monday, March 22nd:

to New York City - GL = $180
to New York City - ATK = "No service"
to Dallas - GL = $203
to Dallas - ATK = "No service"
to Houston - GL = $194
to Houston - ATK = "No service"
to Los Angeles - GL = $208
to Los Angeles - ATK = "No service"

On Tuesday, March 23rd:

to New York City - GL = $181
to New York CIty - ATK = "No service"
to Dallas - GL = $203
to Dallas - ATK = "No service"
to Houston - GL = $196
to Houston - ATK = "No service"
to Los Angeles - GL = $202
to Los Angeles - ATK = $83

On Thursday, March 25th:

to New York City - GL = $191
to New York City - ATK = $387*
to Dallas - GL = $193
to Dallas - ATK = $156
to Houston - GL = $196
to Houston - ATK = $087
to Los Angeles - GL = $202
to Los Angeles - ATK = "No service"

* = only route for sale is via Springfield > Indianapolis Thruway bus. Other routes sold out.

###

 

[me_little_me]

Deming to NYC on a bus? Who are you trying to punish? That should be the alternative to a 10 year sentence. "Your honor, I'd rather do the time than do the bus!"

 

[Cal]

Studying alternatives can really pay off. Greyhound has a commission agent in Deming, so passengers can check baggage and buy tickets with cash, ask for assistance, etc. Buses depart twice daily in each direction on the COVID schedule.

Minimum fares from Deming, NM as of 19 March 2021

On Saturday, March 20th:

to New York City - GL = $223 Sold Out two buses
to New York City - ATK = "No service"
to Dallas - GL = $279 One seat left on first bus, Sold Out on second bus
to Dallas - ATK = $335 One roomette left, Sold Out in coach
to Houston - GL = $265 One seat left on first bus, Sold Out on second bus
to Houston - ATK = $109
to Los Angeles - GL = $270
to Los Angeles - ATK = "No service"

On Monday, March 22nd:

to New York City - GL = $180
to New York City - ATK = "No service"
to Dallas - GL = $203
to Dallas - ATK = "No service"
to Houston - GL = $194
to Houston - ATK = "No service"
to Los Angeles - GL = $208
to Los Angeles - ATK = "No service"

On Tuesday, March 23rd:

to New York City - GL = $181
to New York CIty - ATK = "No service"
to Dallas - GL = $203
to Dallas - ATK = "No service"
to Houston - GL = $196
to Houston - ATK = "No service"
to Los Angeles - GL = $202
to Los Angeles - ATK = $83

On Thursday, March 25th:

to New York City - GL = $191
to New York City - ATK = $387*
to Dallas - GL = $193
to Dallas - ATK = $156
to Houston - GL = $196
to Houston - ATK = $087
to Los Angeles - GL = $202
to Los Angeles - ATK = "No service"

* = only route for sale is via Springfield > Indianapolis Thruway bus. Other routes sold out.

###

Genuinely surprised there are so many destinations from Deming, I wonder how many take Amtrak over the bus.

 

[Willbridge]

Deming to NYC on a bus? Who are you trying to punish? That should be the alternative to a 10 year sentence. "Your honor, I'd rather do the time than do the bus!"

It's one of the big destinations for people who have walked from Guatemala. Getting on a Greyhound bus and heading for family and/or friends in the Big Apple likely seems pretty good. Waiting days for Amtrak to show up in a station with no agent is a comparison factor.

 

[Willbridge]

Genuinely surprised there are so many destinations from Deming, I wonder how many take Amtrak over the bus.

From what I can figure the people who take Amtrak are locals or visitors who can shop for the best deal by working their schedule around the train's. When I studied this in the 2019 immigration boom Amtrak was barely affected, while Greyhound with higher fares was adding extra buses through to LA and NYC.

One reason for looking at NYC is that you can see the impact of discount air fares on both Amtrak and Greyhound. The phenomenon of higher fares for the shorter distance travel was outlawed in the 19th century when it developed around waterway and maritime competition. Cities like Denver or Indianapolis were in a poor position without that waterborne competition when railroads began to meet to set rates.

 

[me_little_me]

It's one of the big destinations for people who have walked from Guatemala. Getting on a Greyhound bus and heading for family and/or friends in the Big Apple likely seems pretty good. Waiting days for Amtrak to show up in a station with no agent is a comparison factor.

True, and while visiting Deming a number of times when we lived near Las Cruces, I can sympathize with with those anxious to get out of it. But the duck festival was fun! And if you're a rockhound, ...