Travel on Rails: Amtrak's Dynamic Pricing Fuels a Flight-Fare Debate
Amtrak has expanded dynamic pricing after the pandemic, charging more for last-minute or flexible travel and rewarding early bookings. Some travelers discover flights cheaper than train tickets on certain routes, testing the idea that rail is always cheaper or more efficient. Critics argue a taxpayer-funded service should avoid moody pricing, while supporters say the approach boosts ridership and funds needed infrastructure upgrades; in the meantime, Amtrak reports record ridership and revenue, despite ongoing service-quality concerns.
