Any redheaded stepchild worth beating...

[Anonymous]

I've really enjoyed watching the ebb and flow of the political football of Amtrak, and especially the spin off commentary in Trains magazine.

Don Phillips is a clever and entertaining author.

I've seen him muse several times about the possibility of getting D.O.T. Highway funds appropriated to rail, as a means of reducing highway congestion.


Knowing what a Red headed stepchild most of congress seems to believe Amtrak to be, and growing to understand just how underhanded the lawmakers in the pinnacle of world democracy tend to be, I have to wonder to what degree the converse of Mr Philips' suggestion has already been worked, and for how long.

As follows: They don't like Amtrak, but had to keep it alive. It's "a big money looser", like a pit you just pour cash into.

What a ripe opportunity for budget bashing, skuldugery, etc.

Appropriate an extra $14 million to amtrak to build a bus plaza and a small park NEXT TO THE AMTRAK STATION in my hometown, and call it "mass transportation revitalization serving rail interests"

And the ticket prices for amtrak MUST be adjusted accordingly next fiscal, after all, one day it will be expected to be self supporting...etc


It's "too golden a goose" to assume it hasn't been happening.

[Anonymous]

Politicians...don't you just love 'em! I wonder how many people the bus park next to the Amtrak station fooled. Trouble is, even if you can confront one, they haven't the fainted idea what you're talking about or will feign concern with "I'll certainly look into that" or "I'll have my aide call you". Then if someone really does call, it's some clerical person who thought you were going to make a donation (sigh).

[Anonymous]

It's phunny. Bacause you see a well intentioned Phillips, trying to build a rational path that could do some good, through the jungle that is public funding.

Yet you have to reealize that the folks he's talking about, are Maestro's at playing the game of which he speaks, and have been so for a loong loooong time.


I can easily envision congressmen (congresslizards?) who do not favor Amtrak at all being of the opinion "If I'm gonna go along with this charade, I'm dang sure gonnna make it worth my while"

Who takes it in the shorts? Well, Amtrak ticket buyers, and the taxpayer. Who else do they need?

It's just the kind of murky "pork barrel" you could ppull a $100 million out of every year, and no one would ever miss it.

And, If the shee-Haaaa ever does hit the fan---see? just one more reason to disband Amtrak!"


Gives one a real "robbing Peter to pay Paul" headache it does.

[BRAKIE]

Rick,In 1971 everybody believed the big lie that Amtak could make money.This Amtrak fail to do.31 years later no one truely believes the big lie that Amtrak can make money..Infact it has lost money hand over fist and even had to hock Penn Station(?) just to keep from shutting down before the FY started...This good money management? No more. Amtrak-RIP.

[Anonymous]

I would like to see good rail service in this country. At least between major cities. I do not work for the railroad. I know very little about railroading.This question is for you experienced railroad workers out there. Is it possible to get good passenger service on today's railroads that would operate at least at break even money? Is Amtrak fixable?
TIM A

[Anonymous]

No way.

[wabash1]

yes it is fixable if 2 things happen. 1) if the railroads such as ns bnsf csx up would not charge such high rates for the trains to use thier railroad and make it so they would not get held up for hours waiting on thru freights. this wont ever happen. and 2) quit paying out high saleries to non productive ceo types this will never happen. the only place amtrak is going to make a profit is the northeast corridor where it owns the rails it runs on.

[Anonymous]

Ohhh, Idunno, maybe if Amtrak gave up the monopoly on sleeper service and turned it over to someone in the hotel industry, say Holiday Inn, who understands something about marketing lodging, things might be different.

What? you say it's been done? Didn't work?

Well, perhaps with a little creativity, picture this: You contract with Amtrak for the basic transpo, and with Holiday Inn for a "package deal"'

your nights in transit PLUS your destination lodging, all at a Holiday Inn?

When was the last time you saw an Amtrak TV commercial that was anything to get excited about?

[Anonymous]

I don't think Amtrak can be profitable in the NEC either. In any government department (read buracracy) administrative costs are out of control. Executive salaries are but a drop in the bucket, but that's where the initiative to make significant reductions should start. Also, perks should be controlled much, much more tightly. You should see the things not mentioned to the public. Curl your hair, man! Later, gdc

[Modelcar]

...Why doesn't it, why hasn't it, etc., etc. and so on. Either we want public transportation or we don't. I think most of us know the system is not going to be raking in much profit. If the decision is to supply the public with ground [rail], transportation lets have knowledgeable, get it done type of people...come up with HOW to do it and HOW to pay for it and stop the moaning we've been hearing for a decade or more of hand wringing and all the rest....

[Modelcar]

Opps...Missed my signiture on the above....QM

[Anonymous]

Thanks Guy's, You all told a side of the story that we non-railroaders do not get a chance to see or hear about. Who own's Amtrak? Who decides what peaple sit on the board of directors? Is Amtrak a publicly traded stock? Can someone help me?
TIM A

[Anonymous]

No form of transportation, except freight railroads, makes money in the US if maintenance, security, construction costs and loss of property tax revenue are factored in. Despite mass government infusion of funds to airports and the air traffic control system, the major air carriers all have gone bankrupt at one time or another. United and US Air are now in Chapter 11. Intercity bus companies struggle to get by. Greyhound finances its bus business from other more profitable enterprises. Many regional bus lines have gone under. That the Interstate Highway system is funded solely by fuel taxes is a big joke. The US cannot even operate the interstate system on profit/loss basis or privatize it because there is a federal law that prohibits it. In other countries there are subtantial road user fees and tolls to finance to operation of highways. The inland waterway system which serves only 41 states is a tremendous money loser(Amtrak serves 46). Its only stated reason for existence is to keep railroad freight rates down. Amtrak is only 1% of the US DOT budget. Politicans need to get over it. Merry Christmas - Eric