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For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2007, the Sunset Limited failed to cover its variable or avoidable costs to the tune of $.485 per passenger mile.  This was before interest and depreciation.  Amtrak's average interest and depreciation for 2007 was approximately $.1023 per passenger mile.  This number includes the capital intensive northeast corridor.  The information furnished in Amtrak's on-line report does not allow one to determine the passenger mile interest and depreciation attracted by the Sunset, but it was probably less than the system average.  I think $.05 per mile is reasonable.The distance from Los Angles to New Orleans is 1,995 rail miles.  The avoidable cost or subsidy for a passenger traveling on the Sunset from one end point to another, at $.535 per mile, works out to $1,067.33.  The train averages approximately 46 mph over the 1995 miles.    The Sunset calls at 19 stations, excluding the end points, on its run between New Orleans and Los Angles.  Six of the stations are flag stops and presumably entrain or detrain few passengers.   Fourteen of the communities served by the Sunset have commercial air service, i.e. trunk carrier or commuter air.  The other five are within a 2.5 hour drive of a city that has air carrier service.  Moreover, all but one community - Sanderson, Texas - are served by an intercity bus company with two to four services a day. Speaking of buses, Greyhound runs from El Paso to Tucson in as little as 5 hours and 35 minutes.    It makes two passenger stops between El Paso and Tucson.  The slowest bus, which takes the same amount of time as the Sunset, makes four stops, including a 45 minute chow break in Lordsburg.  The Sunset, if it is on time, requires 6 hours and 25 minutes for the same run.  Unless it is flagged for an intermediate station, it makes no passenger stops. For the Sunset on time is a rarity, at least in Texas.  Its on time record in Texas from August 1, 2007 to date has been two per cent at Houston and 15 per cent at El Paso.  Number 2 has an on time record of four per cent at El Paso and two per cent at San Antonio. Justifying the Sunset on economic or social needs is a stretch.  It is an excellent example of throwing good money after bad.  If the Sunset were discontinued, the funds, presumably, could be used to improve existing corridors or help develop new ones.Alas, as long as passenger rail in the United States is held prisoner by the politicians and their fellow travelers, heaps of money will be wasted on bad policy.
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