Providing an Economical Means of Transportation: A Feasibility Study

1. Providing an Economical Means of Transportation:A Feasibility Study English 212: Technical Writing Sarah A. Bujno

2. Overview • Introduction • Criteria • Methods • Research Results • Conclusions • Recommendations

3. Introduction • Conducted research regarding the feasibility of implementing a rail way system between Alaska and Washington. • Determined if a need for a more economical means of transportation exists and whether Alaskans would participate in such a service. • Gathered research regarding the following topics: • Inexpensive Travel • Use of Rail Service • Interest in Rail Transport

4. Criteria For Feasibility • Once implemented, can the proposal offer inexpensive travel to Washington? • Will people actually use the proposed service? • Is there an interest in transportation by rail in and out of Alaska?

5. Methods • Conducted research through the UAA Consortium Library on transportation in Alaska. • Developed and distributed detailed questionnaire. • Reviewed the Alaska Railroad Corporation’s website for data regarding the cost of service and average revenues. • Reviewed the AMBIT Economic Feasibility report for an Alaska – Canada Rail Link (2010). • Calculated the average projected fuel costs and revenues regarding this project. • Interviewed several community members on their ideas of bridging a gap between Alaska and the contiguous United States.

6. Travel by Rail: Inexpensive Travel • With a projected revenue of approximately $3,799,620 prices can potentially be set at $275 roundtrip (half the cost of an airline ticket) if not lower. • Adding a community tax of 2% would cost just over five dollars per ticket and earn almost $6,000 to give back to the community! • Fuel costs will be the most substantial operating cost will only be 8% of revenues earned roundtrip.

7. Use of Rail Service Results based on questionnaire distributed October 2012: • 76% of respondents answered they would be willing to travel by rail from Anchorage to Seattle if the service were available. • 83% of respondents answered that their finances limit the frequency of their ability to travel by air. • The above responses indicate that a rail way system, if implemented would be beneficial to Alaskans and that it would be used often enough to justify implementation.

8. Interest in Rail Transport • 90% of respondents answered there is a need for a more economical means of transportation. • 93% of respondents answered that they exclusively fly coach with no responses indicating flying first class exclusively. • 47% of respondents answered that they only fly out of state once a year. • The above data suggests that it is too expensive for most to fly out of state and when they can they can only afford to fly coach.

9. Conclusions • There is a clear interest and need for an economical means of transportation in and out of Alaska that can be supported by the Alaska – Washington rail link. • Revenues would exceed operating costs and would be a benefit to Alaskans. Revenues taxed at 5% would provide $5,945.50 in funding to give back to the community. • The disadvantages to a lengthy trip can be overcome and with the exponential growth in technology could potentially be decreased with time; it will also pose no worry to those without alternative means. • It would be feasible and cost effective to implement the Alaska – Washington rail link.

10. Recommendations • Implement the Alaska – Washington Rail link. • Assign Anchorage to Seattle fares to be no more than $275.00, to increase customer appeal and create steady competition. • Require a 2% community tax to be distributed wherever most needed in the community. • Market to appeal to the target demographic of individuals between the ages of 18-35. • Provide means of entertainment for passengers at an extra charge with built in televisions and/or wireless internet.

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