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The first thing everybody in this nation, including our leaders in government, needs to understand (just as every other industrialized nation in the world has with regards to public transportation in general, and passenger train service in particular) is that there is no more of a chance for Amtrak to survive without government funded subsidies then there would be for the airline industry to do likewise. Picture in your mind what an airline ticket would cost if Delta or USAir had to build their own terminals and pave their own runways. Or for that matter... what if the trucking industry had to provide for their own highway system... These are precisely the costs ALL railroads have had to face ever since the end of the Second World War. If a railroad needs to lay new rail, or build a new rail terminal, or upgrade existing facilities, those monies have to come from their own pockets. Airlines depend on government provided air traffic systems and controlers in order to keep things flying smoothly. Railroads have to provide their own systems and dispatchers to perform the same functions. And when was the last time a major trucking concern ever offered to foot the bill for a new highway corridor. Don't hold your breath, because that will NEVER happen! Oh sure, every now and then a "transportation bond" comes up for a vote here or there. But realistically speaking, just exactly what percentage of that ever goes to the railroads. And don't tell me about all the "highway use" or "gas tax" being paid out...all that is is nothing but "feel good" measures...and everybody and their uncle knows that! The numbers speak for themselves. The amount needed to not only keep Amtrak afloat, but to actually improve equipment and expand services nationwide, would be only a fraction of what the government already allocates to the airlines and highway infrastructure. The benifits for the environment alone would be well worth the cost, and our nations dependence on foreign oil would be drastically reduced. There are no sound, logical reasons why this country should not be providing the level of rail passenger service as is found in Japan and all across Europe. The airline, highway, and automobile special interest groups, along with our elected officials, need to tone down their own self-serving agendas and come to terms with what is actually best for the good of our nation...a strong and VITAL nationwide railway system...and that includes Amtrak!
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