Alright, I've got a little "hypothetical" situation for everyone... Let's assume that someone markets a bus trip to one of the scenic operations within an hour or so of, say, Worcester, MA. For kicks and giggles, lets say the Valley Railroad. Assuming the price for the trip, which covers the bus and the ticket on the Valley Railroad, is $55, would you guys think of purchasing a ticket? Of course, this is entirely "hypothetical", but some input would be appreciated. I already got some positive input from the New England and New York Railfan group on Facebook.Using some of that input, I included the River Boat into my calculus... Seriously, thoughts anyone? Is the price to steep? Any thoughts on the "hypothetical" trip?

OK, let's start with the basics. Give me a "hypothetical" reason why I'd want to board a bus in Worcester?

I'm not familiar with the area, and to be honest, to lazy to research it. Is there currently public transport to Essex? What's the nearest Amtrak stop? (I seem to recall one is in Old Saybrook?) Is it reachable via regular bus? Why would I choose to board your charter bus in Worcester if it's not the closest public transit stop? Is the only Amtrak run at 5 AM or 9 PM or otherwise totally inconvenient?

If I'm driving, what incentive, if any, do I have to not simply drive right to my destination?

Ignoring the price for a moment, who's your audience and what's in it for them? Is it anyone other than folks who happen to live locally?

I imagine the Valley sells to bus charters all the time, fall foliage buses, etc.

Who joins bus tours? Elderly, folks who no longer enjoy driving. Convention guests, folks from out of town without cars.

Good point on the transportation... There isn't any public transport to Essex that I'm aware of, but the MBTA (commuter rail), Amtrak and WRTA (city buses) serve Worcester Union Station...

"Hypothetically" (god, I love that word!) the audience would be local college students, elderly folks, local railfans, etc. Basically, people who wouldn't be able to, or don't want to, make the drive otherwise.

It depends on what you considers your customer base is...seniors --daisy's---die hards..

as a die hard you won't sell me a ticket for something I can get on my own regardless of price

Bob H

That would also depend whether the bus is a restored 'classic' or not. My bus will be used for such related events around town and we also have an eye on a classic 1950's Mack bus too.
We have plenty of patrons wanting to ride on something unusual.

Mike Pannell

Why do I feel I have seen "The Ticket Bus" recently?

Where did you get it from?

Out here in the West, Pacific RR Society had a bus trip from LA Union Station to Fillmore CA (about 57 miles) to ride the Fillmore & Western excursion train. As I recall, we had two busloads, mostly railfans. For those who lived close to Fillmore, there was a "train-only" fare which was about $30 less (I'm going from memory here). To be able to "kick back" and not deal with Southern California traffic (even on a Saturday, the term "pleasure driving" is an oxymoron) seemed like a good deal. (full disclosure, as someone old enough to remember Pacific Electric Red Cars in Monrovia, I still drive, but it long ago lost any appeal as a fun activity.)

Hi
It was a ticket office on Denver's 16th street from 1986 to 1996, came over from England in 1976 and I rode on it as a kid in the Isle Of Wight in the early 70's

Mike Pannell