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There were a techy startup or two making overnight sleeper-bus service between LA and SF over the last few years. Apparently the ride quality was rough, but they had a solid business model. How Amtrak hasn’t seen this opportunity of a far more comfortable, spacious travelling hotel (ie 9pm to 8am) between the two cities (and similar routes) is mind-boggling to me.

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They don't own the train lines. Their schedule is at the whim of (guessing on that route) BSNF

I know this to be true; it just surprises me Amtrak, as large as it is, doesn’t have more leverage / bargaining power here. I understand tying up a line can be an issue and the rail network is a relatively complex thing, but if it enables a service to make money and BNSF makes a cut, I’d think it would be viable. I don’t think freight lines are exactly at capacity (generalizing here), nor are they gushing with cash these days either. IIRC Union Pacific just laid off 7000 jobs.

Yeah I'd pay for that in a hot minute.

https://www.ridecabin.com/#!

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