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[quote user="BaltACD"] I guess it is time for Amtrak to follow the airline model - throw a half ounce bag of peanuts at their patrons and give them 4 ounces of a beverage and be done with it.  They won't make money off of it but the will lose less on the 'food service'.  [sarcasm] You can really build a high class clientele with such 'service'.[/sarcasm] [/quote] The airlines have to cover all of their costs or they go out of business. Just take a look at the airline graveyard. Why is Amtrak any different?  Why should it be funded by the taxpayers?  Why should it receive a passenger per mile federal subsidy that is approximately 20 times more than the federal subsidies paid for commercial airlines passengers and vehicle miles traveled?  This is especially true for ancillary items such as on-board food services. Boardman claims that people would not ride the long distance trains unless they offered food service. That may be.  What is crystal clear, however, is the patrons of the long distance trains, including the 2.2 per cent of Amtrak's passengers who can afford a first class ticket, won't pay the full cost of the on-board meals. Again, why should the taxpayers buy their breakfast, lunch, and dinner?   If the long distance trains are important, as has been argued my many, Amtrak should follow the IG's recommendation.  Run coach only trains with a portion of one of the cars dedicated for light food service. It works for the Heartland Flyer and several other Amtrak trains.
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