HARTFORD, Conn. — The commissioner of Connecticut’s Department of Transportation says bar cars, once a popular feature on Metro-North’s New Haven Line, are unlikely to return any time soon.
Joseph Guilietti, the DOT commissioner and a former Metro-North president, told the Hartford Courant the bar cars would only be viable if an outside vendor was willing to invest in and operate them. “As the president of Metro-North Railroad, I was not in favor of the bar cars,” he said.
The cars last operated in 2014. Guilietti said another problem is that the rolling lounges don’t offer the seating capacity needed on the route, where riders frequently must stand during rush-hour commutes. He said Metro-North is looking at the possibility of bilevel cars to increase capacity.
I have heard it said that the New Haven Railroad made a profit on their dining service because patrons were not on the trains long enough to have a meal but they were on long enough to have a cocktail!
The swells should do as the privately-run bar-car club (using C&NW colors) has successfully utilized for decades in the Chicago area. Set up an association with annual dues which support the lavish style they desire. Amtrak is not involved, so Metro-North should be able to support for a fee.
Timothy: Amtrak ended café service on trains from NYP-ALB several years ago. At that time, I called them buses on rails.
Harrison, the cafe cars you see are unstaffed with no food. They are used for business class seating.
That was the one thing New Haven did that made money.
Timothy, I see cafe cars on every NYP-ALB Empire Service.
TIMOTHY – This route was (is??) the quintessential “dude” train. Lots of regulars earning lots of money for lots of years. Draw a line between Charles Lindbergh’s home in Connecticut and his offices at Pan Am Airways above Grand Central Station, you get the New Haven Railroad. If this route can’t support a food car, then there’s no such thing any more. It’s not about alcohol, it’s about premium service.
Only a railroad (or a government) can lose money running a bar – with a captive audience.
Amtrak (a government railroad) has no cafe service on NYP-ALB, a 2:30 ride – with a captive audience.