Railroads, Republicans Muscling Out Amtrak.

[theaveragejoe]

REMEMBER: Private equity didn't rescue General Motors and Chrylser. If we had to rely on private equity, Ford would be the only American car manufacturer.

 

 

Not fully true GM and Chrylser could have maybe it with out a government bail out, it just would have cost more job losses and plant closings.

[qjtransitmaster]

Amtrak is NOT part of the government. The employees are NOT federal employees. I'm tired of hearing the Republican mantra of "privatize it." Private railroads couldn't turn a profit so there's no reason to assume anothe entity can turn a profit. And just because a private entity doesn't want to operate a service doesn't mean it's not in the public interest to operate the service. New York city bus companies went bankrupt and were taken over by the city. Private bus lines on Long Island went bankrupt and were taken over the by the State.

 

Comparing end-to-end point train and plane fares and travel time isn't a fare comparison. Seats turn over about three times between Washington and Boston. I'm sure there is a turnover on the long distance trains as well.

 

Amtrak DOES have a business model and ridership is growing. They need new equipment as Amfleet equipment have reached their service life - - if not beyond.

 

REMEMBER: Private equity didn't rescue General Motors and Chrylser. If we had to rely on private equity, Ford would be the only American car manufacturer.

 

The thing is if Amtrak perfects turnover at the cities around it's service area and has service level match demand and funding from many towns and cities in addition to the FEDS there is a small possibility of profitability.

[nostalgia]

The thing is if Amtrak perfects turnover at the cities around it's service area and has service level match demand and funding from many towns and cities in addition to the FEDS there is a small possibility of profitability.

 

Cities and towns participation with Amtrak is relegated to stations and possibly grade crossing eliminations. They aren't going to pay for train operations. States subsidize Amtrak operations under Section 403(b) of the railroad's enabling legislation.