Plane, Train, Bus Or Car?

Shall we take the plane?Greyhound was too big and making too much money
So you need to get somewhere in the 48 states. Do(transportation in the USA didn't get any less
you choose a plane, a train, a bus (there are still aexpensive than Greyhound!) so they broke it up.
few left) or your personal automobile? Fuel is now aBuses still were the least expensive way to go.
major expense, not only for you and your car butReserved seats on a bus were almost unheard of,
for everybody. The airlines have been losing moneyyou felt like you were packed in a sardine tin, and
for years mostly due to artificially low fares. Nowalmost nothing could be as boring as a bus ride. But
they have the jet fuel crunch. It is that old story, "Sothey got you there, cheap.
we lose money this year; we'll make it up next year."I could buy dinner for two if I got a dime for every
But that never happens. So now the costs have hadtime I've heard someone say, "Boarding a plane, now,
to go up, ten bucks here, twenty there, all in anis like boarding a bus used to be." Busses are now
effort to look like they haven't really raised the fares.MORE convenient that the airlines and the airlines are
And they'll still lose money. While fuel is now thesteadily getting worse. So, perhaps, the solution is to
major culprit, it is just one of many loss factors thetake the train to the nearest city and then take the
airlines face. But the real rub is the lousy service,bus to your final destination.
unreliable schedules and broken promises.Then we could take our family car
And that isn't the end of it. Not long ago almostThen there's always the family car (or van or SUV).
every mid-sized town had commercial air service. TheIt will take you where you want to go, when you
airlines are folding their wings and abandoning manywant to go. You can stop, get out, smell the roses,
of these cities with disastrous consequences foreat something, -- you have the options and most are
those cities, their commerce and their residents.under your control. Cost-wise, for trip of 600 miles,
Where a few years ago, the government told thefor a family of four (two adults and two children)
airlines where to fly and how much to charge, theyyour car will cost you about the same as Amtrak.
now can do pretty much as they please.But does Amtrak go where you want to go? For
Amtrak: coming of age, finallylonger, overnight trips, the car is less expensive (you
So air travel is no longer a desirable choice. Howcan get a motel room for much less than the cost of
about trains? Just ten years ago it was cheaper andan Amtrak sleeper and, believe me, you don't want
more convenient to fly than to take the train.to try to sleep in their coach seats. In most
Amtrak was losing money big time except on a fewsituations, the car, again for a family of four, is much
East Coast routes. Now Amtrak can be lessless expensive than the airlines. What about the bus?
expensive and considerably more convenient than anThe bus wins economically but a long trip with two
airline. Amtrak hasn't changed its fare structure -- yet.children in a commercial bus is not going to be very
The airlines have had to. But Amtrak services a verypleasurable.
limited number of communities. (This will be true ofWe'll take our RV
the airlines, soon.) If you are traveling with children,There is one other option. If you already own an RV
the choice is a no brainer; Amtrak is a good choice. Ifand it's not a super gas hog (less than 8 miles per
you are traveling with baggage, Amtrak will probablygallon), and you are going on an overnight trip, the
be the better choice (depends upon weight and size).RV wins hands down. You don't have to pay for a
If it is a long trip, Amtrak is slower (usually). If it is asleeper or motel room and the fare (even at $4 or
short trip, Amtrak is frequently faster. But if you can$5 per gallon) won't be as hurtful. Like with your
accept the extended duration of your trip, Amtrak isfamily auto, you can stop, get out, smell the roses,
certainly much more comfortable.eat something, -- you have the options and most are
So let's take the busunder your control.
Greyhound used to go almost everywhere. They hadSo what will it be: Plane, Train, Bus or Car? No
express busses for long distance runs and 'milk runs'thanks, we'll take our RV and enjoy life a lot more.
for the shorter runs. Then the government saidRVing is certainly not dead!