The long haul from Phila to NYC: Low housing costs here, lucrative jobs there make the commute palatable
Article today in the Philadelphia Inquirer by Jen A. Miller titled "The long haul from Phila. to NYC: Low housing costs here, lucrative jobs there make the commute palatable." discusses the Philly to NYC commuter. Good article.
Some facts about the Philly-NYC commuter on Amtrak finances from the article:
"Amtrak estimates it pulled in $9.4 million from 220,800 rides on multi-trip tickets on the Philadelphia-New York route in 2007 - an all-time revenue high."
The article states that:
"For most of these commuters, it is real estate that keeps them riding the rails, especially when the average purchase price for a Manhattan apartment is $1.4 million. That can make Amtrak's monthly rail pass seem like a cheap alternative at $1,098, especially when people are willing to move deeper into the suburbs and travel farther to work so they can afford the houses they want."
Some facts about the Philly-NYC commuter on Amtrak finances from the article:
"Amtrak estimates it pulled in $9.4 million from 220,800 rides on multi-trip tickets on the Philadelphia-New York route in 2007 - an all-time revenue high."
The article states that:
"For most of these commuters, it is real estate that keeps them riding the rails, especially when the average purchase price for a Manhattan apartment is $1.4 million. That can make Amtrak's monthly rail pass seem like a cheap alternative at $1,098, especially when people are willing to move deeper into the suburbs and travel farther to work so they can afford the houses they want."
For sure housing is cheaper in Philly compared to NYC but $1,100 a month for Amtrak! The article should talk about how crazy high that is. This Amtrak pricing is going to wipe out the low housing cost in Philly advantage over time if you ask me. You can commute 1.5 hours via Metro North or NJ Transit too and pay $800 less per month and find a home that is likely in the neighborhood of what you get in the Philly burbs.
posted by Guy in NYC at
The long haul from Phila to NYC: Low housing costs here, lucrative jobs there make the commute palatable - 6:20 PM
3 Comments:
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By
Ran Barton, at 11:55 AM, April 29, 2008
You compare Amtrak's discounted price to the commuters' fares. That option is available for those who wish, but for Amtrak, isn't the more accurate comparison between the discounted price and the regular fares? The monthly pass offers a real break on the regular fares, and at a time when the seats are often full on all of the peak trains, the opportunity cost of the lost revenue for a pass rider compared to a walk up has to be kept in mind. Until Amtrak's funding is altered to emphasize utility over cost recovery, I see no alternative.
By
Ran Barton, at 11:55 AM, April 29, 2008
Syracuse to NYC and Philadelphia To NYC you get cheap bus tickets and Lowest Price. No booking fees!
By
Unknown, at 3:56 PM, April 29, 2018
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