Sounds like Mr. Gunn is ready for the fight....

[andrewjonathon]

It is easy to support all kinds of things in a poll. People always support government programs until they are asked to pay for it. But ask the same people who say they support Amtrak to write a check and I'll bet many of the supporters will disappear as rhodes says.

[Puckdropper]

Let me ask a question... I hear about some trains that are 85%-100% full quite often. Doesn't that mean it's time to add another car?

I have heard many viewpoints and am not sure what to believe on how Amtrak is doing on many trains... "empty" but really full? I just don't know...

[Anonymous]

They don't have any more cars. They are out, o-u-t, out. Retirements of cars beyond economic repair and demolished in wrecks, and lack of dollars for basic maintenance and in wreck repairs, have decimated the fleet. Most of the Western long-distance trains are shadows of what they were a decade ago, when 15-17 car summer consists were feasible. Now the same train goes by with seven cars.

OS

[jeaton]

So rhodes in Europe-You are suggesting that if George Bush said that taxes would have to be raised to fund Amtrak support for Amtrak would disappear. You are either extremely short of money or have not mastered simple arithematic. The increase needed to fund Amtrak at the FY 2005 level would be about $10 per taxpayer per year. Double that amount and in about three years, Amtrak would be in top shape. Some of us actually see valuble benefits coming from the money we pay for taxes.

Jay

[K. P. Harrier]

Lets get down to brass tacks: Why is there a problem in the first place?

[Anonymous]

A advice tip on contacting Washington: fax or email is the best route to go. Reps offices prefer it. The problem with US mail to our DC reps is that due to the past anthrax scares, mail now has to be pre screened . This only adds delay to getting the message out and the faster pro Amtk support can be received up there, all the better

[daveklepper]

And like the airlines get a handout anytime there is a bad break and also close down anytime their is a national emergency!

I like the analogy. The Fire Dedpartment doesn't show a profit either!