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abcpdo t1_iwpwlp3 wrote

Reply to comment by YoYoMoMa in Thanks to everyone that introduced me to using the MARC train for my DC work commute! by cherrychampagnetoast

I typically look for weekends so that might be why.

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YoYoMoMa t1_iwpxezq wrote

Even leaving on the following Saturday, you wont find any tickets under $100 unless the are arriving late ($74 to get there at midnight).

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abcpdo t1_iwpyt2o wrote

The closer to departure date the higher the cost.

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YoYoMoMa t1_iwpz6g2 wrote

Right. This was a month out. So not super far in advance, but not last minute.

The point is, saying Amtrak costs $20-50 is pretty disingenuous to what most people end up paying. Dropping down to $30 from $100 is significant for a lot of people. especially if it doesn't add too much time.

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abcpdo t1_iwq027z wrote

I never said it was better or worse than Amtrak. You brought that up. I was replying the other person to say it isn’t the perk they think it might be. For $30 and 3 transfers with wait time in between you’re better off driving up than taking 4 commuter trains.

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YoYoMoMa t1_iwq1ade wrote

I don't know how the transfer time will be, but driving up does create a lot of issues as well. Tolls and parking and gas and traffic variance. Plus stress. And many people can work on a train. Or play video games. Oh, and some people care about the environmental impact of their travel.

I am not saying this is clearly better. But another cheap and green option is good imo.

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abcpdo t1_iwq0pd5 wrote

By the way it’s $18 from Newark DE to Trenton on Septa, and it takes 2 hours on that alone if you luck out and have 0 min transfer wait.

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YoYoMoMa t1_iwq0wt5 wrote

Yrah I was just going by whoever said it was going to be $30 and 4 hours.

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