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Railroad Fares

1953 vs 1993

How much has the cost of passenger train travel risen over the past 40 years?

Probably less than you think.

The percentage of increase is typically less than half that of the increase in the cost of mailing a first-class letter.

Included here are six routings between selected end points for travel by coach and first-class in 1953 and 1993. Fares are for a single adult traveler, one-way, non-discounted.

Coach	1953 (a)	1993	Pct. Increase (b)
Washington to Chicago	$29.80	$118.00	396.0
New York to Chicago	$35.32	$124.00	351.1
Washington to Dallas	$43.61	$189.00	433.2
New York to Dallas	$50.77	$189.00	372.3
Washington to Los Angeles	$85.63	$239.00	279.1
New York to Los Angeles	$92.79	$239.00	257.6

First-Class (c)	1953 (a)	1993	Pct. Increase (b)
Washington to Chicago	$52.96	$230.00	434.3
New York to Chicago	$61.40	$255.00	415.3
Washington to Dallas	$84.35	$433.00	513.3
New York to Dallas	$96.93	$452.00	466.3
Washington to Los Angeles	$163.85	$570.00	347.9
New York to Los Angeles	$176.09	$589.00	334.5

Mailing a Letter	1953	1993	Pct. Increase
First-Class Postage	.03 (d)	.29	966.7

NOTES:

• (a) 1953 fares are for B&O routing from point of origin. Travel to Dallas is via St.Louis/ T&P/ MP; travel to Los Angeles is via Chicago/ ATSF. 1953 fares include 15 percent federal travel tax.
• (b) The 15 percent federal travel tax in effect in 1953 may distort the comparative purpose of this study, since there is no such tax today, but the totals do reflect the true cost of each respective ticket. If the tax in 1953 is disregarded, the percentage increases will be greater.
• (c) Sleeping car accommodation in 1953 is roomette; in 1993 it is roomette or economy bedroom, whichever is offered.
• (d) Surface mail 3 cents. Airmail was 6 cents.

[This article was published in the May 1993 issue of the Bull Sheet.]

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