Why doesn’t Amtrak run an overnight train between San Francisco and Los Angeles?
The flight route between San Francisco and Los Angeles is the second busiest flight route in the United States. And by number of flights, it’s the 9th busiest in the world.
A growing number of airlines serve the route. American, Delta, Southwest, United, US Airways, Virgin America, JetBlue, Spirit, and startups like JetSuite and Surf Air all operate flights between the cities. Assuming an average price of $150 each way, the 3.69 million flights along the route represent a $553.5 million opportunity.
Given the opportunity, why doesn’t Amtrak run an overnight train between San Francisco and Los Angeles?
My family lives in LA, and I live in San Francisco, so I frequently fly this route to visit my family. Flying can be a pain, though. Prices spike in the weeks before a trip, there are TSA lines, baggage restrictions, flying with kids is hard, etc. It’s no wonder so many people drive along “The Five”.
An overnight train between San Francisco and LA would be amazing. I took the Coast Starlight last year, and it was magical. You can walk around the train and meet other passengers and stretch your legs. There are sleep rooms, great dining cars, a great bar, a no TSA lines, a generous baggage policy, and amazing views of the California coast. The only drawback is the time—it took ~11 hours to get from Union Station to Jack London Square.
But that’s why the overnight train would be amazing. The train could leave SF/LA at ~8pm and arrive by 7am. You could have a dinner/drinks on the train once it departs, get 8 hours of sleep, and wake up at Jack London Square or Union Station and walk/BART/Metro/Uber/Lyft to work. Board and you’re there.
How about it, Amtrak?
Addendum
Source for the 3.69 million flights per year: http://www.transtats.bts.gov/
sleepbus.co is an awesome idea for overnight bus service between SF and LA and when they announced the service they were apparently inundated with interest.
Amtrak has an overnight bus/train service between SF and LA but 80% of the trip is by bus.
