Quote:
Originally Posted by SebC
Fuel costs: the net effect of rising fuel costs is increased viability of rail. So, while it means the ticket prices would be off, the case for rail is only strengthened.
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Fuel is a double-edged sword. Rising fuel costs makes alternative options more viable only if the alternatives are cheaper or close in cost to the consumer. So while it is certainly more expensive to drive because of fuel costs, it will also be more expensive to take the train. (again, depending on type of fuel and its cost relative to gasoline.)
It probably takes about two-thirds of a tank of gas to get to Edmonton in my car. My fuel cost then is about $30-35 for that drive. That study was basically looking at $100+ for a ticket ten years ago. I don't see many people being willing to spend three times as much for a train ticket at this point, even if they might save a few minutes (once you account for having to live on the train's schedule, not your own). And that is just a single person. The per-person cost of the train is static, but the per-person cost of driving decreases rapidly once you start adding passengers.