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Is that a 13% cut before or after baseline budgeting? In any case, the SoNO is there, along with most of the rest of Amtrak’s trains, to cover up the fact that Amtrak exists for 1 reason. And that’s the NE corridor route the pols use. The rest of the system is horrifically expensive and overpriced camouflage.

A couple of years ago...I did my first ever Amtrak trip...DC to Birmingham. I was a bit shocked over the cost of the ticket (includes the cabin)...but I did this on Sunday when the rate was about 70-percent of the norm.

The ticket included dinner...which was acceptable but nothing to brag about. After the whole thing ended, I got out at the Birmingham train station which is a dilapidated old station. That was my one and only trip with Amtrak. I won’t repeat it. If the Fed is helping to carrying their budget....there is something wrong with the system.

Amtrak's Northeast corridor is profitable; the only section that is profitable. The reality is, is that it is better to take the train from/to Washington and New York. It is a better experience and faster than flying since the train stops in Manhattan, while you have to get from Queens to Manhattan if you fly. The Washington Post has timed and compared this numerous times and the train is slightly faster getting from point A to your destination in Manhattan.

There are 25 trains every 24 hours between the two cities so you have maximum flexibility in choosing your itinerary. In fact, more people take the train between the two cities than fly, a feat that I doubt is copied anywhere else in the country. I would never think of flying between the two cities and the trains are often packed, no matter the day or time.

I'm sure there is waste in Amtrak's organization and I know that John McCain has tried for years and years to cut Amtrak's funding entirely or a good chunk. However, I am mixed about it, but there is value in having a nationwide rail system, but agree there is featherbedding and other issues with Amtrak. If these issues can be addressed, it would be interesting to see how Amtrak looked.