Randall Hess Wrote:
=======================================================
> Greg Scholl Wrote:
> ==================================================
> =====
> > So go to Disneyworld, or buy another computer
> > game!!!! Nobody is going to change the mind of
> > folks whose heart is not in it.
>
> The problem is that approach might limit total
> ticket sales to
> 31K this year and maybe 20K in a few years if
> younger generations
> turn out to truly have shorter attention spans.
It has nothing to do with that. My reply was to Michael who is always
talking about cheaper trips and thus shorter rides so they can be cheaper. He even went as far as to say his siblings who rode once did not like the trip. So fine, we aren't going to change his siblings no matter what we do, unless its more mainstream stuff they do love-not train rides on the C&TS. I doubt seriously they would come ride if it were FREE!!! So my comment was basically saying "There is no pleasing some people so there is nothing we can do about that"
>
> That is kind of like saying that I'll put my
> videos on VCR only,
> and those who want DVD or on-line distribution
> will have to go to some
> other producer.
Folks will likely do as they please, and if some put their stuff on VHS
thats probably what they have a use for. If they want to buy videos on whatever it is, that's up to them. It's difficult to sell something to someone who doesn't want the product. Thats my point I guess.
>
> You must respond to the market. (I hope where we
> differ is in our
> individual interpretations of where the market is
> and where it is going)
I thought the discussion was about shorter/cheaper trips!!! I doubt seriously that will happen. Who is going to pay the employees who would then have to work longer to write these cheaper tickets, that now take longer to do since there are more of them according to you guys.
This is why they are running the railroad and not us. Let them figure it out-the guys paid to do so. As John Bush said I think, that only operating on certain days creates problems with customers as well. Here in the Cincinnati area we have Amtrak 3 days a week in either direction. That's not service!!!! A customer might only be budgeting a certain day to ride a train trip, so its best to have them every day. Can the railroad conform to everyone's exact plans....certainly not. Just like in the video business folks only want to buy what they want. That is they want a video of not just this engine or that, but specific runs. It is ludicrous to think someone can provide that kind of service.
I am sure all train ride operations run into these issues. "What time is the next train?" Answer: It left an hour ago, so tomorrow at 10 am!!!
Sure they could run shuttles from the depot to the wye and back if you like. How much is it worth to go 2 miles. Run those once an hour with 5 people on each shuttle. Ok lets see, one 4 man crew, one locomotive, and 8 runs per day. 5 people per run, thats 40 for the day, and say $10.00 each. Thats 400.00. I doubt that pays the train crew so where is my profit?
Guess I am tired of the whole Shorter Trips/Cheaper Trips discussion!!!
They have said for years it is not financially viable to do that.
Greg