charlesriverbranch wrote: ↑Sun Oct 18, 2020 5:49 am
Huh? Shouldn't a train that runs less than half as frequently have more cars, not fewer? What about using the extra cars to encourage social distancing?
Yes, that would be true if ridership remains the same. But it is not the same, ridership is down 80% nationally, although individual long distance trains may vary.
Some math exercises of what ifs....
100% x 7 days a week = 700% total ridership.
700% ridership / 3 trains per week = 233% ridership per train.
To serve 233% riders per train, the train would need to be at least twice as long.
20% x 7 trains a week = 140% total ridership
140% ridership / 3 trains per week = 47% ridership per train
To serve 47% riders per train, the train could be at most half as long.
Granted, that math exercise reflects 80% drop in ridership, I have no idea what the real percentages are. But this exercise in what ifs show what Amtrak is faced with. And why a train half as long half the time can meet the present decrease of customer demands in ridership.
Math is the basic ingredient of every successful business in the entire world. That is why it is taught in schools all over the world. Math does not lie.