amtrak subsidy

[csxengineer98]

the money has to come from someplace to cover the loans that the airlines got from the government and they are already starting to defult on....but like i said befor... it not so much the cut in funding is the issue...its the whole rail pasanger system as it stands now..... to make rail travel profortable... it needs to be able to go head to head with the airlines... and that means high speed dedicated rail corridors like over in the eurpe.. untill this happens... rail passanger service in this country is dieing and no matter how much money or how much some people want to keep it alive...its a moot point... the money that they spend on keeping it on life suport should be and could be spent in better ways to make a better rail system...
csx engineer

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by martin matsil

we are a wonderfull naation,and a nation without passenger train service, is unconscienable.so we must try to send to President Bu***o restore the subsidy to amtrak.or,try to speak, to the commuter authorities,to take over the service.something,has to give.

Ya it's just to bad that the gas prices can't go down.(Off topic).

[DSchmitt]

From a report titled: Comprehensive Benefits of Rail transit Benefits
dated 12-May 2004
Table 6 US Transit Expenses and Revenues By Mode (APTA 2002)
note auto is not included in this Table
Total rail: Total exp/passenger mile 1.55 Fares paid $0.22 Subsidy $1.33
Percent subsidy 79%
All bus Total exp/passenger mile $1.86 Fare $0.26 Subsidy $1.59
Percent subsidy 83%
Costs include: Capital expences and operating expences

The Subsidy for Heavy Rail is 72% Commuter Rail 73% and Light Rail 91%
The Sibsidy for Bus 76% Trolley Bus 84% Demand Responce 90%

-------------------------------------

The APTA 2002 data above was for the year 2001

The APTA 2003 chart for the year 2002 gives the following subsidies: Heavy Rail 72%, Commuter Rail 73% and Light Rail 91% . It does not list "Total Rail"

Note: These subsidy rates are based on passenger mile

[daveklepper]

A lot depends on what constitutes an operating subsidy. Considering subisidies of all types, Amtrak gets less of a subisidy than the typical transit system on a per passenger per centage of fare basis, and probably no more than bus passengers or private car owners. "Bush disrimates against long-distance rail passengers!" might be a good headline.

[Modelcar]

...Everyone who desires as above contact your elected representives....That's our best bet, as they have to ok a budget and approve spending. I'm sure it's useless to try to request any consideration from Pres. Bush...He wants to get rid of our rail transportation system....

[Anonymous]

we are a wonderfull naation,and a nation without passenger train service, is unconscienable.so we must try to send to President Bu***o restore the subsidy to amtrak.or,try to speak, to the commuter authorities,to take over the service.something,has to give.