Talking about the "bucketing" where they first sell x% of tickets at a cheap price, then the next x% at a higher price, and on and on until its expensive as shit.
This is really demoralizing as someone who'd like to be a bit more spontaneous, and be able hop on a train out of town (which is running either way and never full...), the price I get offered is like double the price if I booked 3-4+ months out.
There must be a better system.
I live near the tracks and I've always wanted to hop on to the next town and stay the night. But the prices are fucking absurd like $180-300. And they want you to book well in advance to get lower prices, like a darn airline. And I could drive to the next town in an hour and a half for maybe $10 in gas. The train takes nearly 4 hours which isn't a problem but all things.considered it's not a viable service. Also only one train a day; In the afternoon to go, and in the early morning to return. If I'm going to a place on a whim to drink and party I'll be damned if I get up early.
damn that sucks. I also don't see much service, but going to the next town over type shit is at least pretty cheap here. going to the next major city is more, but that's pretty far, and its still not $200-300 bad