If AMTRAK can't survive without taxpayer subsidies, then its time has passed.
Posted on 04/22/2005 7:12:36 AM PDT by thebiggestdog
Although it did not make the headlines, the latest snafu from Amtrak should convince everyone in Congress that federal subsides for troubled rail service need to go.
At one point in our history there was a need for a national railroad. Train service was the norm before the airlines took over as the transportation method of choice. Now we are stuck with a poorly mismanaged cash hog that begs for mercy nearly every session of congress. When Amtrak was born in 1970, there were hopes that it would run the interstate railways at a profit within a few years. No such luck.
(Excerpt) Read more at hotchicken.com ...
I like the idea of having railways intact through out the nation. Call me paranoid, but i want the train lines intact just in case someday airplanes/cars etc., cease to run for what ever reason.
With fuel prices going thru the roof ... a viable railroad system is needed to transport agricultural products, coal, general freight and ... you guessed it, people. On another thread an article is written about Medicaid fraud and how the gov't is bilked out of billions of dollars annually ... taxpayer money that could be used to help upgrade our rail system. A viable railroad system in the U.S. is a must ... more than ever.
For my purely selfish reason I prefer travel by train myself. I am a firm believer that if God wanted me to fly he would have given me winggs. Also traveling by Greyhound is my idea of Heck on earth!
I'm a big fan of using the train in Europe. I've been on Amtrak only 3 times, but it was packed each time. Is it because it's government run or is it lack of cutomers or both?
If AMTRAK can't survive without taxpayer subsidies, then its time has passed.
Passenger Railroad: A method of transportation that takes you from where you aren't to where you don't want to go.
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