Skift Take
Airlines promise speed but deliver delays, while trains offer Wi-Fi but run on antiquated rails. This leaves plenty of room for cheap direct buses to woo travelers sick of paying high prices for disappointing service.
Long a punch line for harried Northeast travelers, Amtrak has come to dominate commercial travel in the corridor connecting Washington, New York and Boston, and this summer its trains are packed.
A decade ago, Delta and US Airways shuttles were the preferred mode of travel between the cities. But high fares, slow airport security and frequent flight delays — along with Amtrak’s high-speed Acela trains, online ticketing and workstation amenities — have eaten away at the airlines’ share of passengers.
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Tags: bus, high-speed rail