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http://www.trainweb.org/moksrail/advocacy/resources/subsidies/transport.htm

Atlas Shrugged was about the government and railroads. One of the great fantasy novels, except for the turgid writing and poor pacing, of course.

biccat wrote:
But Amtrak has competition, we see it every day. People choose to drive or fly rather than use Amtrak's service, for a variety of reasons. Obviously, when given a choice, people don't prefer Amtrak, and it's reflected in its lack of profitability.

In short: Amtrak is a service that we have to be compelled to support because it is unable to succeed in the market.

On a passenger-mile basis Amtrak is subsidized at roughly the same level as air travel.

Automotive travel is subsidized significantly less, but is still subsidized via the construction and maintenance of roads.

Arguably, Amtrak could simply be broken up, with the state taking on a role similar to the one its hold regarding automotive travel. That is, the government maintains the tracks, and establishes transit standards, but private entities incur the financial risk by operating the actual trains.

biccat wrote:

purplefood wrote:The plane people hate the train people and the government are helping the plane people beat the train people...
/conspiricy

You've got it backwards. It's the train people who are getting their preferred mode of transportation subsidized at the expense of the rest of us.

I wouldn't have any problem with trains (I still wouldn't use them) if passengers paid their 'fair share.'

yes. i'm favoring railroad reforms. Amtrak is a quasi USRA II, those railroad companies are now operates its lines on revenue. and they should be allowed to invest on Euro-style HST instead.


This kitty is waitin'!

=^.^=

Amtrak's freight operations should not be ignored. They are a huge freight carrier.