Amtrak Cuts Would End Its Misery

[realtraveller]

Amtrak's long-range passenger service lines have been losing money for us the taxpayers for 30 years. The new Bush budget would end the subsidies effectively putting all those lines out of business.

This strikes a chord with me because every year when I make the trek up to Oregon, I (out of whimsy or a misplaced idea of the romance of the rails) I call Amtrak.

Amtrak's prices for three seats are always more expensive than flying. Last time I said: "you expect me to sit up for a day and a half, little sleep, no shower and pay MORE than I'd pay to take a two hour flight!!!! Then rather than have an available flight every few hours, you have train service to Oregon only on every second or third day??? And for this I'm supposed to pay MORE!!!!"

And don't even ask about the price of those sleeping cars.

The truth is that if people wanted to take the train, the train would be a profitable enterprise and there would be no need for government support.

I say derail all unprofitable Amtrak lines.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6942852/

[mrisch[$]]

Sad, sad, sad but true. When I was young, we rode the train A LOT. I even took the train to and from college my freshman year. It was cheaper and you could bring a whole lot more luggage, and you had time to read, relax, enjoy the country, etc.

It's just too expensive now, and to have to take two days to pay more just doesn't make sense.

[realtraveller]

mrisch said

Sad, sad, sad but true. When I was young, we rode the train A LOT. I even took the train to and from college my freshman year. It was cheaper and you could bring a whole lot more luggage, and you had time to read, relax, enjoy the country, etc.

It's just too expensive now, and to have to take two days to pay more just doesn't make sense.

I used to ride the train too. But it wasn't Amtrak then. That line was Illinois Central and it was a short run. I think the short runs are still making money such as the run from L. A. to San Diego.

I have a philosophical objection to government being in a private transportation business in the first place and I surely don't want to subsidize inefficient and unpopular 'horse and buggy days' transportation.

I either fly for the speed or I drive for the freedom of the open road. The train has neither.

[erik_kosberg]

I have a philosophical objection to government being in a private transportation business in the first place...

Then you better stay away from any form of transportation involving air traffic controllers (and all of the loan guarantee quasi-bailouts that airlines have been getting the last few years) or public roads.

[realtraveller]

erik_kosberg said

Then you better stay away from any form of transportation involving air traffic controllers (and all of the loan guarantee quasi-bailouts that airlines have been getting the last few years) or public roads.

I was against the airline bailouts but air traffic controllers are the air equivalent of the highway patrol. Roads are more than paid for by users through gas taxes.
Airports are paid for by the public but airlines pay landing fees, etc. which are covered by ticket prices. With Amtrak, taxpayers are paying for all those empty seats.

[Helen_B[$]]

For an interesting look at the real cost of public roads, and how we got our highway systems, browse through Fast Food Nation, the part that looks at roads. (The rest of the book is good too, in a disgusting, upsetting sort of way. Don't read any of it if you really, really enjoy your fast foods.

[drmomentum[$]]

I second that - Fast Food Nation is a great book.