Amtrak has never made money in its 34-year history and an operating loss of more than $550 million was expected for the fiscal year that ended Sept. 30. The railroad has a debt of more than $3.5 billion.
"Gunn is absolutely BRILLIANT!"
Posted on 11/09/2005 9:11:45 AM PST by wjersey
Amtrak's board called a meeting for Wednesday and plans to fire President David Gunn, according to Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y.
Gunn has clashed with the Bush administration since assuming the post in 2002. He has said Amtrak can't survive without federal subsidies while the administration has pushed to eliminate them. The board scheduled a meeting for 2 p.m. and plans to fire Gunn, Schumer told The Associated Press, citing "a very high and reliable source."
Schumer called Gunn's removal "a crushing blow to Amtrak's hopes for success and reform," and praised him as "a brilliant manager."
Gunn, who came to Amtrak after having headed transit systems in New York City, Washington and Toronto, could not be reached to comment. A call to Amtrak's chairman David Laney was not immediately returned.
In September, Amtrak's board approved a resolution authorizing splitting off the Northeast Corridor, which accounts for the largest share of the railroad's ridership. That region could be operated by a federal-state consortium.
The Bush administration favors the idea, but critics say it will destroy Amtrak.
Amtrak has never made money in its 34-year history and an operating loss of more than $550 million was expected for the fiscal year that ended Sept. 30. The railroad has a debt of more than $3.5 billion.
The White House has called for an end to subsidies for Amtrak, but the House has approved an appropriation of nearly $1.2 billion for this budget year.
"Amtrak Set Fire to President"
Me too! LOL!
Amtrak has never made money in its 34-year history and an operating loss of more than $550 million was expected for the fiscal year that ended Sept. 30. The railroad has a debt of more than $3.5 billion.
"Gunn is absolutely BRILLIANT!"
Willie Green is deeply saddened!
(I've waited months to be first to say that!)
I guess it beats "Amtrak set to fire Gunn"
The guy must be one of Schumer's bunghole buddies.
Get rid of the UNION...Amtrak makes money...its that easy....
I can give the "AMEN" to that.
All a person has to do to see the condition of Amtrak is to spend a half hour in Penn Station. Pure chaos.
Amtrak would do just fine if it was allowed to shed the highly unprofitable lines it is forced to run due to Congressional meddling.
The Northeast Corridor is profitable, as are a few other routes. Amtrak should be allowed to dump its money-draining routes and focus on the areas it can actually make money.
Maybe Amtrak is totally unnecessary?
No fewer than 3 times has congress set a deadline for Amtrak to be self suffcient, and when they were not, the deadline extended.
Its time to set a concrete deadline and then let Amtrak sink or swim.
When you know the deadline is artificial and failure to meet the requirements will result in no action or punishment, what is the incentive to meet the requirements?
Actions do indeed speak louder than words.
Let me guess: put ex-Gov Mike Dukakis in charge?
Amtrak couldn't shut a door, open an umbrella or run a train on time.
The Acela Express from Union Station in Washington,D.C. to Penn Station is routinely late - both ways. Not to mention the problems its had with the train's brakes over the past three years.
Amtrak is the most expensive and dreadful way to travel in America.
It's done. Stick the proverbial fork in it.
Reminds me of one of Ronald Reagan's favorite phrases: "Put the government in charge of something, and watch it fall apart."
I just read an article in the latest issue of CFO that makes that very point.
BTTT Calling Publius
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