Big Apple a Big Bill…
Well as I roll along on the Acela back to Boston from an overnight in the Big Apple I just finished looking over the bill from my hotel. The meeting I attended was interesting but I am not sure it was worth the price out of my pocket that it cost. I got a room at the Westin in Times Sq which was the one recommended by the folks holding the meeting. The group rate for the one night was $407!!! But wait the taxes and fees on top of that amounted to over $65.00 for a nothing special room. I had a leisurely breakfast of eggs Benedict (the cheapest item at $19.50) with coffee and juice which with tip and taxes amounted to $42.00!
I decided to take the train down to see what it was like after 8 years. My last trip on the Acela was right after 9/11. The ticket for first class each way was was $163. I can say however that it was the most relaxing travel I have had in quite a while. I have avoided the need to visit NYC for a good long time. During my active working days the expense was written off but I still couldn’t bring myself to spend even a night there if I could help it. The cost is totally unreasonable and ridiculous and always has been. So when you hear The Big Apple think Big Bill.
Now for the Acela – I think the extra cost over the Regional is worth it but if you don’t need the quiet to work the extra cost for First Class ($73.00) isn’t. It is too bad rail service isn’t more widely available but the subsidy that is given this quasi government run entity is the only reason it survives. So when I look at my out of pocket expense plus the government subsidy per rider I really I don’t think just adding more riders will make it any better. The rails are old, the equipment is tired and the union worker’s “feather bedding” is still and issue. But if you need to go to the Big Apple from Boston or to DC from NYC then take the Acela it is about the same travel time without the big wait at airports and the TSA idiots you have to deal with going by air.