the weirdness of transportation costs

(by Tracy)

No wonder our economy is so messed up. The costs of things don't really match the energy or effort required to provide them.

Lately I've had to price a few trips. Here's the summary:

• one-way Amtrak train trip to New Haven, CT, regular, not Acela - $74
  
• weekend car rental (2.5 days) from Enterprise Rent-a-Car, pick up at Logan Airport, which I used to drive to New Haven and back - $89
• one-way flight to Chicago on American Airlines - $89

So on a per mile basis the train ride is the most expensive option here. That just seems wrong.