I went up to New York on Sunday to visit a couple of friends. I thought it might be a good experience to take the ACES train to Manhattan and the bus back. It would cost me only a few extra bucks, I figured, as they were advertising $29 one-way fares. And the ride would be more comfortable.

   Boy, was I wrong.

   I got on the website the night before, and a $59 ticket popped up. No thank you. So I called the 800 number, which is run by Amtrak, and the rep confirmed the ticket was $59. All the $29 seats were sold, she said. The train is departing in 11 hours, I replied. Wouldn’t it be better to sell me the seat for $29 than to let it run empty? No, she said. She didn’t have the authority to negotiate with me.

   Fine. So I got to Atlantic City the next morning, and bought a $35 Greyhound ticket. OK, it’s not the best way to get there, as the late, great Harry Chapin said in an old song. But I had a good book, and it got me to Manhattan safe and on time. I had a wonderful day with my pals, got home at 10:30 and stopped in Bally’s just long enough to blow the $25 bonus cash they gave me.

   I hear the ACES train is in some financial hot water, and why am I not surprised? The train is a nicer ride than Greyhound, Academy, NJ Transit or whatever, but it takes the same 2 1/2 hours to get to New York. People will pay a little extra for comfort, but at $118 for a round trip ticket, that’s more than triple the price of the bus. A little extra leg room isn’t worth THAT much. Not to me, anyway.
      By the way, the buses were packed full in both directions, while ACES ran with empty seats. ACES might want to figure out a new way of doing business if they want to really do any.

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