The editors of IgoUgo.com believe the summer of 2008 may be the summer for train travel for Americans. The U.S. airline industry received the worst score ever recorded in the most recent Airline Quality Rating (AQR) study. In the same study, consumer complaints were up 60 percent over last year.
Tapping into its community of savvy travelers, IgoUgo's editors have pulled together tips, advice and itineraries for travelers looking for something other than the traditional fly-in summer vacation. This information can also be found by visiting the IgoUgo blog.
"Flight delays, schedule changes, cancelled flights, bankruptcies and mishandled baggage are pushing flyers' frustration to an all-time high," said Michelle Doucette, Content Manager at IgoUgo.com. "The summer of '08 just might be 'the summer of the train.' Not only does train travel provide a totally different experience, statistics show it is often better for the environment than flying."
Train Passenger Stats Growing
Americans may be increasingly more open to the idea of train travel. In 2007, Amtrak reported more than 25.8 million passengers, representing the fifth straight year of record ridership. More than 70,000 people ride on an Amtrak train each day. IgoUgo editors believe in many cases, Amtrak is a convenient alternative – with intercity passenger rail services to more than 500 destinations in 46 states.
Train Travel More Energy Efficient
The US Department of Energy has also given people an added incentive to traveling by rail, finding that Amtrak – on an energy-consumed-per-passenger-mile basis – is 18 percent more energy efficient than commercial airlines. IgoUgo editors suggest that while not every train trip is more energy-friendly than flying, it can be an added consideration when planning for a family vacation.
