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This is a discussion about the Heartland Flyer.   The trends have not been good.  Between 2010 and 2014 it has lost more than $15 million before depreciation and interest.  And that includes the state support.  In actuality the cost to the taxpayers (federal and state) has been considerably more.   Ticket revenues from 2010 to 2014 were $9.8 million.  Operating costs before depreciation and interest, which are unknown, excluding OPEBS, were $42.4 million.  Thus, the loss that was worn by state and federal tax payers was $32.6 million.  These are published numbers.    The ridership has been declining since 2012.  Amtrak's 2015 budget projections indicate the ridership will climb to 85,800 in 2015, up from 77,861 in 2014, and then decline to 83,760 in 2016 and 84,140 in 2017. How they came up with these numbers is unknown.    The train has performed poorly since it was implemented.  There is nothing in its past or on the horizon that suggests it is likely to change.   If Amtrak were run like a business, which it should be, but it is not, the Heartland Flyer would have been axed years ago.
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