TODAY’S POLL

LAST POLL RESULTS

47% of you voted Rarely in yesterday’s poll: How often do you travel by train?

“When I worked in the Northeast, I used to take it from state to state. Great for getting work done.”

“It’s the way to go between Baltimore/Washington and New York — and even Boston on occasion.”

“Used to take it every day! Now that I don’t work in the city, there’s no reason to — and no way to get to work using it. I do take it occasionally if I’m going downtown.”

“I used it daily when I lived in NYC. Now I use it occasionally when I know parking will be difficult. I’m a fan of public transportation — it’s good for the environment, and I always love the people-watching.”

“I wanted to answer ‘occasionally,’ but it has been so long since I’ve been on a train or the ‘L’ in Chicago. I used to ride the ‘L’ daily in the ’80s and ’90s and enjoyed looking out the windows while I was riding it. We drive everywhere, but I’d love to go on an adventurous train ride through some beautiful mountains.”

“USED TO A LOT MORE GOING INTO NEW YORK FOR SCHOOL WEEKLY.”

“Haven’t been on a train since I was a child. My dad’s ship docked in NY, and my mother brought me there to see my dad. He was a merchant marine captain during WWII.”

“As a junior high school student, I rode the train daily.”

“I’ve only done that once.”

“Once years ago to Reno. Stuck in the snow for hours.”

“I used to live in the Bay Area and LA, so I would take BART and the rail all the time. Now I live in a rural area. However, I am looking into taking trains to travel instead of flying. It would give me a chance to see more of this country while still traveling. It also seems to be a bit more restful and comfortable than flying now. We also need more high-speed rail in this country, given freeway congestion and the price of gas.”

“I have traveled by train only three times in my life and really loved it. The first time was from Tacoma, Washington, to Klamath Falls, Oregon. The last time was from Klamath Falls to Los Angeles. My youngest (at the time) was two years old — he’s 40 now. You see so many wonderful things you just don’t get to experience from an automobile drive.”

“Only on vacation.”

“Only when in Europe.”

“Often if I’m in Europe, but not much at home since I have a car.”

“Rail travel isn’t an easy option here; otherwise, we would use it. When we travel abroad, trains are always a feature of the vacation. The Orient Express is on my dream list.”

“The trains in Europe are the best.”

“The USA has missed the mark on travel. I understand wanting to be in control of one’s vehicle, but trains make travel less expensive and convenient. Europe and Asia have far exceeded our country in this area.”

“My friend and I are obsessed with the trains in Japan!”

“The rail system in this country is abysmal due to the oil industry and the trucking industry and their lobbying efforts in Washington, DC. Railroad tracks have been torn up and will not be laid again. Freight moves much cheaper by rail as opposed to trucking. I traveled with ease all over Europe by train and was impressed with the efficiency of the rail networks and the low cost. Amtrak is a joke, comparatively speaking.”

“If you are talking about Amtrak, for instance, I have never taken the train. I do fantasize that I will take a train trip, but it just hasn’t happened — yet.”

“But not because I don’t WANT to! I would love to have Amtrak back in my region. Decades ago, I rode it up and down the Columbia Gorge every three weeks, and it was glorious! #bringbackamtrak”

“I simply LOVE the train — wish it traveled everywhere.”

“Zero train options in East Tennessee that I know of. There are scenic train rides, but nothing for travel or commuting.”

“I live 25 miles north of Omaha, NE, and there is no convenient location for me to ‘catch’ a train.”

“No train service in my area.”

“Although I do want very badly to take a train trip.”

“Haven’t had the privilege or opportunity yet.”

“Just never had to, but would love a trip through the mountains and around.”

“Never — not that I wouldn’t like to. But I have a car, so there’s no need for other transportation unless I’m flying somewhere. I have ridden light rail a few times in the past two decades, but not enough to really mention. Oh, I did ride the Tweetsie Railroad a few times back in the ’70s — not sure if that counts 😉.”

“I never have, other than the light rail in Denver and the Georgetown Loop Railroad at Christmastime. I have looked into it before as a fun family trip.”

“I have never traveled by train, but I would like to one day! It seems like a great way to see the country, and then you could go back to the areas of interest.”

“I would love to take a train trip somewhere, but finding handicap-accessible rides, hotels, etc., is very hard for my son, who uses a wheelchair full-time.”

“Would love to do more traveling by train as flying has gotten to be such a pain! Also, love the old steam train rides! Have done several of those!”

“Always wanted to be a stowaway on a circus train.”

“Commuter rail is important in my region, but I use it for pleasure, so not daily.”

“It’s an awesome alternative form of transportation, whether you just don’t feel like driving after a long day or after a night out!”

“I use the train seasonally to get to my summer house.”

“I used to travel by train a couple of times a week when I was a NJ Devils season ticket holder. Since I’ve retired and cut back, I only go by train into NYC a few times a year.”

“There’s no choice between weekly and daily here — I’d say I’m on the subway train 4–5 days a week.”

“Subway, not Amtrak.”

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