I know Amtrak is a favorite target around here. I agree that Amtrak should not be subsidized but the true scandal here is that the government has made rail travel the mess it is. There is a place for an “Amtrak” with some level of government subsidy. Keep in mind that trucking companies get a huge subsidy in that they don’t own and maintain the roads. Airlines get a huge subsidy because they don’t own and pay for airports and the air traffic control system. A chunk of the Amtrak subsidy goes for maintaining the tracks. In addition, Congress really meddles in where Amtrak stops, how many stops it has and, of course, pressures Amtrak to give in to union demands. Rail unions are the most powerful unions in the country—no question. More powerful than teachers’ unions and government employee unions. If Amtrak were allowed to operate in a relatively free market (free of government direction) and got a reasonable subsidy for track building and maintenance, passenger rail travel would work.
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Airlines pay landing fees, terminal fees, fuel taxes( to maintain the clouds, I suppose ). All fees collected by the Airlines, from the passangers, exceed contruction and operating costs for airports. Which is supprising in that say Logan, is a 100% union hack heaven. Ditto trucks that pay, and collect from customers, huge amounts of taxes. Trucks and cars, via federal fuel taxes pay more than construction and maintance costs. Airlines, cars and trucks are cash cows. Airports, air traffic should all be privitized. And fuel charges should be removed from aircraft fuel. Look at the communication innovation, price drop with privitized telecommunication. We could have the same rate of innovation, price drop if we totally privitized rail, air and highways.
“Keep in mind that trucking companies get a huge subsidy in that they don’t own and maintain the roads.”
The sure do in fuel taxes and all trucks over 12k pay a hefty federal road use fee every year. They also have to pay fees in every state they operate in.
You drive your car across the country without paying anything, a truck pays every time they cross a state line.
“Keep in mind that trucking companies get a huge subsidy in that they don’t own and maintain the roads.”
The sure do in fuel taxes and all trucks over 12k pay a hefty federal road use fee every year. They also have to pay fees in every state they operate in.
You drive your car across the country without paying anything, a truck pays every time they cross a state line.