> But I'm not taking the train if travelling by car was faster, that makes no sense. If you are going purely for minimizing time, all forms of shared transport

> But I'm not taking the train if travelling by car was faster, that makes no sense. If you are going purely for minimizing time, all forms of shared transport will be slower than going it alone. A plane trip on a commercial route is slower than getting a private jet, for example. The difference is in how much additional time the shared option takes, and how the experience varies, especially relative to cost. For an Amtrak cross-country trip measured in days, I agree with you; I won't ride that (outside of the trip being the reason for the trip) either. But Amtrak Cascades between Seattle and BC or Portland? I'll definitely take the train for that. I go from downtown to downtown in a bit longer than the time to drive, I don't have to deal with the TSA, I don't have to concentrate on driving myself, I can get food and use the restroom without stopping my trip, and I get a much better seat than on a plane. If the time comparison is within about 50% extra train versus plane or car, I'm taking the train every time.