It can be convenient, when I had my Pickup, it was cheaper to go to Pittsburgh From Johnstown via Amtrak then driving my Pickup (The Pickup ran about 18 mpg, it is about 180 miles round trip, thus I used at least 10 gallons, at $3 a gallon that was $30. The Round trip was only $28 (unless I purchased the tickets three days early, then $25.20). At $4 a gallon that trip with the Pickup would be $40 a trip.
The trouble is I now drive A Chevy Cruze Eco with a 1.4 liter engine and a six speed manual transmission. I have been getting over 40 miles per gallon. Thus I use 4.5 gallons per trip, at $4 a gallon that is $18 dollars. The advantage is I do not have to get up at 6:00am to catch the train at 7:20am that hits Johnstown at 9:05 am (And I often have hearings in Ebensburg at 9:00 am so not really a good option).
Last year, the Sunday trip started at 1:20pm, but then they changed it to 7:20 am like the other six days a week and no longer a good trip for me, but the cost is still a factor. The Round trip is now $30 ($15 on way), $27 if order three days ahead of time. Thus at $6.67 a gallon, Amtrak starts to look good to me again.
Please note, the above is NOT taking into consideration wear and tear on my car, but that is a factor.
As to Amtrak, this looks like something the State will have to do, and Corbett will not, thus I see the Service to Pittsburgh dying unless the Republicans between Altoona and Harrisburg protest, but that will only happen after Amtrak decides to close the service down and then Corbett will blame Amtrak.
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