On the Amtrak, traveling from Union Station in Washington D.C. to Penn Station in New York City. Boy, didn’t realize how expensive these tickets were; it costs pretty much the same as purchasing a same day plane ticket from SoCal to NorCal. The express train (2 hours, 57 minutes) would have cost $218, while the regional train (3 hours, 25 minutes) cost $153. Originally I had asked for the express train, but then I got sticker shock and balked at the cost. I did some quick calculations in my head and decided to settle for the regional. I figure being on the train an extra 28 minutes was definitely worth saving $65 for my firm. Good thing travel fare is expensed; otherwise, I would’ve just gone with the Bolt Bus (4 hours, 15 minutes) at a low, low price of ~$20.
So you may ask, “Well, Jon, if you’re willing to forgo 28 minutes for a $65 saving, why not lose another 50 minutes for additional savings of ~$133?” Great question. That seems to make sense, b/c the incremental savings to lost time ratio for the bus is 2.66:1, better than a 2.32:1 for the regional train, which is an additional 34 cents saved per minute. The problem with this logic is that a bus leaving in the afternoon may encounter heavy traffic on the road, potentially increasing travel time significantly, and thus eroding the value of savings per minute.
Furthermore, there is the consideration of my schedule. When I arrive back in New York, I need to do my laundry (which was part of the strategy in how I packed). Getting back at 7:50pm still gives me ample time to wash my clothes. I estimate it’ll take at least 1 hour and 30 minutes, putting completion time at around 9:30pm. Getting back at 8:40pm earliest (using the bus), but most likely 9:30pm or later, does not give me sufficient time as I really don’t want to be folding my laundry in the office at 11pm or midnight.
Oh yes, the washer and dryer are in the office.