Cost of train (C&TS) rides to rise *LINK*

By ERIN SMITH
THE PUEBLO CHIEFTAIN
CHAMA, N.M. - The Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad Commission OK'd a price increase next season for tickets on the 64-mile narrow-gauge line. The season runs from mid-May to mid-October each year.
Plans are to renovate a fourth engine so that each depot may run one train a day.
Rates will increase from $59 to $62 for round-trip tickets to Osier from either Antonito or Chama; from $72 to $76 for a one-way ticket and return trip by bus; from $102 to $115 for a parlor car seat on a round-trip and from $115 to $129 for a parlor car seat on a one-way ticket with return by bus.
Former New Mexico Gov. David Cargo, one of the two New Mexico commissioners, didn't favor the fare hikes, but said “We’ve got to get this stuff going.”
Leo Schmitz, executive director for the commission, said the big rate increase was for the parlor cars because of the high demand for those seats.
Wayne Quinlan, one of the two Colorado commissioners, wondered how the price hikes would affect ridership. Quinlan said the Colorado and New Mexico legislatures that fund the train would be more impressed if ridership rose than if revenues did. Increased revenues might make the legislatures think the commission did not need the money for the train, he said.
Tim Tennant of the railroad's management company said ridership was up 22 percent - 30,809 people compared to 25,210 last year - as of Sept. 22.
Since 2000, Colorado has provided $4.5 million toward capital, planning and operations for the line, while New Mexico have given $5.8 million and the federal government $3 million.
The commission agreed with the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad Management Company to postpone action on the management contract until mid-November.