I stumbled accross an old ticket stub from a Washington DC to Phila trip I took in July 1974. The ticket cost $8.25. Trip time was 1:48.
Today, an Acela, with the same departure time, costs $122. Trip time is 1:31. Regional train is $42-60 with trip time of 1:55 or so.
Compare and contrast?
About 50 bucks to go about 120 miles seems a little steep, but if I need to get someplace, I guess I could fish 50 dollars out of my pocket. Especially since DC has OK local service (Metro) and Philly has great local service (SEPTA) to connect at each end.
The 122 dollars, wouldn’t folks in Phily tell you “Get outa here!” A cost difference of 70 dollars to save 20 minutes; I am a busy man, but I don’t think my time is worth 210 dollars/hour.
I guess this is apples and oranges, but last I checked, fares on the New Tokaido Line are pretty pricey, as is a whole lot of other things when converted to U.S. dollars. Is there a Shin Kansen Regional (the 3.5’ gauge Old Tokaido Line?) where you can go for cheap(er)?
If people are actually paying the 122 dollars and riding that segment, that suggests that the Acela Express has achieved a certain kind of boutique or snob appeal – kind of like lawyers driving Bimmers as you can get a better car for less money with an Acura or even a Honda for that matters.
I’ve never ridden an Acela, but rode Metroliners many times. In the late 80s and 90s, it was nearly 100% business travellers and the fares rose and the differential grew to what it is today. I suspect Acela is no different. Money is no object when it’s on your company expense account! (and the company doesn’t object because it’s the same $$ as airfare)
Adjusting for inflation (CPI) would make the $8.25 fare roughly $34 in today’s dollars, so looks like you were getting a pretty good value back then relative to both Acela and Regional today.
I have ridden both Acela and Regional a few times NYP-PHL for work (fortunately - no $ out of pocket) when I lived in NYC. Both methods were pleasant and much better than flying or driving. As one would suspect, Acela was full of business travelers. IMHO, Acela was very quiet and it was easy to get work done. Nevertheless, if I was paying for it, I’d probably take the regional, and perhaps upgrade to a business seat.
I never had an opportunity to ride the Metroliner, so I can’t compare that on the quietness/experience front…perhaps someone else can, though.
In the late 80s and 90s, Metroliner Service was just Amfleet with 60 seat/car pitch and nice blue curtains on the windows (like Amfleet II).
That the fares have increased faster than inflation says something about the value of the service, I think…
About 1993,I rode the German ICE train from NYP to WAS as a Metroliner.I paid $90.00 and it was a great trip.The ICE had a full diner,and I had an excellent meal of lamb shanks.
No Lamb Shanks on Amtrak today only Bah Humbug no decent food service except on Empire Builder and Coast Starlight and that is not always consistently good. For a cross country trip from the west coast to the east coast if one has the time I recommend the Coast Starlight to Seattle and the Talgo to Vancouver and then take Via Rail Canada’s Canadian and experience what a real train is really like superb food excellent crew and comfortable accommodations. The only way to fly! once in Toronto one can take the train to New York or better yet fly. After experiencing the Canadian you almost want to burn your passport and never leave north of the border. Besides the French Canadian Ladies are truly beautiful.
Seriously the Canadian is the finest train operating in scheduled service in North America today and has been for a number of years. Wake up Amtrak the people are not going to wait for ever for you to get your act together.
The difference between the regional Amtrak and the Acela is like the difference between flying coach and first class. The Acela trainsets are much newer and the seats are bigger and more comfortable. Depending on the time of day you go, taking the Acela can be almost a hour faster than the regional, although usually only 30 minutes. During rush hour, I have also had a hard time getting a seat on the regionals sometimes, whereas on the Acela, although busy, I have never had this problem…
Acela or no Acela, taking the train (at least between DC and NY) definitely better than flying. Door to door its faster (if you include taking cabs to/from airport, checking in/security, etc…) and its price competitive especially if you compare it with full fare tickets, which many business flights are. The other main advantage is you can use your cell phone or internet on your laptop the whole time, so it lends itself to getting work done/not being bored. 
I have the stub from my first train ride in August 1972–one way Wichita,KS-Ft.Worth. Went w/my Grandparents and the three of us rode for a whomping $28.05.
I have records indicating I was paying 56 cents a gallon for gas in 1978, in 1974, before the ‘shortage’ and gas lines, I expect we were paying between 34 & 40 cents a gallon. Now we are paying $3 to $3.50…you do the math. The Amtrak fares are not out of line.