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train and bus segment on different days

train and bus segment on different days

Old Sep 11, 2017, 2:18 am
  #1  
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train and bus segment on different days

can i take the train and thruway bus on a different day? like taking the bus segment a day later.
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Old Sep 11, 2017, 6:19 am
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Can you build it as a multi-segment itinerary? I don't use the buses, but have split train segments when I need a short stay somewhere. Stopovers of 24 hours or less are no extra charge.
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Old Sep 11, 2017, 9:37 am
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Can you? Yes.

Will you get the same fare? Maybe. It depends how the fare is constructed.

Let's say you're traveling LAX-BFD (bus) and BFD-FNO (train). Amtrak's system prices that as a single through-fare on a normal connecting ticket at $35.

When you book it so that you have more than a 24-hour stopover, Amtrak's system prices it as two separate fares, and the price goes up to $55.

If you can keep your stopover to less than 24 hours, it'll preserve the $35 fare.

But nothing is stopping you from booking the train tomorrow and the Thruway bus connection 300 days from now.
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Old Sep 12, 2017, 9:40 am
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Bus legs often say "Book with train" or something like that. Since the OP wants to take the bus segment a day later, he or she might have a problem. It might have helped if the OP had mentioned the routing. For example, if there is a bus from a later train but still within 24 hours, the later bus might be possible.

A station agent might be able to help with booking alternatives. If a station visit is inconvenient, an agent at 800.USA.RAIL might be able to help.
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Old Sep 12, 2017, 10:12 am
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Originally Posted by serpens
Bus legs often say "Book with train" or something like that. Since the OP wants to take the bus segment a day later, he or she might have a problem. It might have helped if the OP had mentioned the routing. For example, if there is a bus from a later train but still within 24 hours, the later bus might be possible.

A station agent might be able to help with booking alternatives. If a station visit is inconvenient, an agent at 800.USA.RAIL might be able to help.
It's California law (advocated by Greyhound, who didn't believe that state-subsidized services should compete with its for-profit product) that Thruway segments must be booked in conjunction with a train segment.

However, as I've illustrated above, it is 100% possible to book that train segment on a different date using the multi-city option.

Heck, it's even possible to book a bus (like LAX-BFD) and then book a completely unattached train segment (like CHI-JOL) on a completely different date.

A few other states may regulate Thruway requirements similarly to California (it seems that, on a random test, Wisconsin does), but regardless, Amtrak's booking system does not restrict you from booking a random train segment anywhere in the system to satisfy this requirement. Booking a legitimate connection one day later absolutely and certainly will not be problematic at all.

Last edited by jackal; Sep 12, 2017 at 10:18 am
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Old Sep 12, 2017, 3:29 pm
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Originally Posted by jackal
Heck, it's even possible to book a bus (like LAX-BFD) and then book a completely unattached train segment (like CHI-JOL) on a completely different date.
That is interesting.

Originally Posted by jackal
A few other states may regulate Thruway requirements similarly to California (it seems that, on a random test, Wisconsin does), but regardless, Amtrak's booking system does not restrict you from booking a random train segment anywhere in the system to satisfy this requirement.
I overheard an agent in Tampa telling another customer that he couldn't sell a bus ticket to Orlando, but he could sell a bus and train ticket to Winter Park and the customer would be under no obligation to board the train from Orlando to Winter Park.
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Old Sep 15, 2017, 2:21 pm
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Originally Posted by serpens


I overheard an agent in Tampa telling another customer that he couldn't sell a bus ticket to Orlando, but he could sell a bus and train ticket to Winter Park and the customer would be under no obligation to board the train from Orlando to Winter Park.
For a one-way ticket that is sound advice. If the customer wanted to travel Tampa to Orlando and back via bus, with a Winter Park rail tag-on in both directions, then they would potentially be SOL for their return trip back to Orlando, as the entire itinerary would be subject to cancellation due to the no-show on the Winter Park segments.
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Old Sep 15, 2017, 2:58 pm
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You are correct on both counts. It was a one-way ticket, and it could be a problem with round-trip.
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Old Sep 15, 2017, 3:47 pm
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Originally Posted by fairviewroad
For a one-way ticket that is sound advice. If the customer wanted to travel Tampa to Orlando and back via bus, with a Winter Park rail tag-on in both directions, then they would potentially be SOL for their return trip back to Orlando, as the entire itinerary would be subject to cancellation due to the no-show on the Winter Park segments.
Amtrak has no issue pricing this out, though:
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