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<p>[quote user="dakotafred"]</p> <p> </p> <div class="quote-header"> </div> <blockquote class="quote"> <div class="quote-user">Sam1</div> <div class="quote-content"> <p>In FY13 the Auto Train lost $32 million before depreciation, interest, and miscellaneous charges.  Moreover, if Amtrak had paid the fully allocated cost of hosting the Auto Train, the loss probably would have been greater.</p> <p>One can make a creditable argument that intercity passenger trains fill a vital social need and should be supported by taxpayer funds.  How one can make this argument for a train that is designed to haul well heeled Northeasterns and their personal vehicles to Florida to escape the winter snow and ice is beyond me. </p> <div style="clear:both;"> </div> </div> </blockquote> <div class="quote-footer"> </div> <p>By this logic, no LD train would carry anything except coaches -- like a bus. In which case, why should taxpayers bankroll LD passenger trains at all, instead of -- if they're needed -- more buses, which are a lot cheaper to run?</p> <div style="clear:both;"> </div> <div style="clear:both;">Or is this sam1's point? If so, it goes back to an argument -- the government has no business running LD passenger trains -- that, after 40-some years, is well-worn indeed. [/quote]</div> <div style="clear:both;"> </div> <div style="clear:both;">For political rather than economic reasons, the long distance trains are likely to be with us for the foreseeable future.  There may be some modifications of the current schedules, but I don't see any dramatic changes.</div> <div style="clear:both;"> </div> <div style="clear:both;">If I were in charge, I would make the following changes to the long distance trains.  I would eliminate the full service dining cars and room sleeping cars.  </div> <div style="clear:both;"> </div> <div style="clear:both;">An expanded food service, preferably offered by a contractor whose core competency is food service, could be offered in the lounge cars, which I would retain.  </div> <div style="clear:both;"> </div> <div style="clear:both;">In place of the room sleeping cars I would offer business class accommodations with seating pods similar to those found on overseas commercial flights.  </div> <div style="clear:both;"> </div> <div style="clear:both;">The changes probably would not eliminate the losses on the long distance trains, but they could reduce them.  </div> <div style="clear:both;"> </div> <div style="clear:both;">As long as Amtrak has no meaningful rail competition, including contracting for the private operation of select routes, it is not likely to make significant changes to its model for long distance trains. Why should it?  Without true head to head competition organizations have little incentive to change.</div> <div style="clear:both;"> </div> <div style="clear:both;"> </div>
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