As I've said on other forums , Amtrak will keep whatever routes makes money and liquidate the others. Here is the proof: Russ WASHINGTON (AP) - A lawmaker critical of Amtrak has proposed spinning off the only two routes that made a profit last year - the Northeast Corridor and the Virginia-to-Florida Auto Train. The bill by Rep. John Mica, R-Fla., is the first of what probably will be several congressional proposals to restructure or revive Amtrak, the nation's sole provider of intercity passenger train service. Congress is due to consider Amtrak's future next year. The federally appointed Amtrak Reform Council is working on a restructuring plan to give to Congress by Feb. 7. Mica's proposal would transfer control of the Northeast Corridor and the Auto Train to the U.S. Department of Transportation. For each route, the DOT would choose whether to franchise management and dispatching responsibilities or transfer ownership to an interstate compact, a new governmental corporation or a private company. Mica's bill is silent on the future of other routes. The Amtrak Reform Council reported recently that Amtrak lost about $480 per passenger in fiscal year 2000, and that the only two profitable routes were the Northeast Corridor and the Auto Train. The Boston-New York-Washington Northeast Corridor made $18 per passenger. The Metroliner service - which is gradually being replaced by the higher-speed Acela Express - made nearly $92 per passenger, while other trains in the Northeast lost $27 per passenger. Auto Train, which carries passengers and their cars from the Washington suburb of Lorton, Va., to Sanford, Fla., near Orlando, made $3 per passenger. Some rail advocates take issue with calculations showing that most routes lose money. Bruce Richardson, president of the United Rail Passenger Alliance, said long-distance routes appear to bleed money because of the way bookkeepers divide up Amtrak's systemwide expenses.
Didn't the whole Congress put the kabash on the liquidation thing. So don't expect this one Congressman's proposal to get very far.
I guess it all depends on how powerful a congressman he is and what lobbies he answers to Even so, Amtrak is still going to have to look for ways to become profitable or this will not be the last you've heard on the topic. Happy Railroading and Happy New Year! Russ
Too many constituents & Concressmen who want Amtrak to continue & improve. So one Rep. can't do that much no matter who's lining his pockets.
All of this action with Amtrak makes me mad as H...! Why are Congress and the White House unable to accept the fact that rail passenger transportation is just one more public service like the Interstate system, airports, waterways, and the Postal System Nobody expects Interstate highways, or airports, or waterways, or the Postal System(!) to make a profit ... why the devil do they expect Amtrak to do so
Hank, I could not agree with you more. Unfortunately they are busy bailing out all the airlines that haven't shown a profit and probably never will. As for the interstates, most of them have tolls on them to provide monies for maintaining them. There is no reason to keep sinking government funds there. It too makes me mad! Russ
Russ, the vast majority of the Interstate System have no tolls. I agree that there are some toll roads in the Northeast such as the Mass Pike, Thruway, Jersey Pike, etc., but I don't believe there are more than one or two short sections elsewhere in the Country that have any tolls. You, I, and every other US Resident pay most of the costs to create and maintain the Intersate System through our taxes year after year after year after ..... !!!! What we need is a massive(!) letter writing campaign to all of our Congressmen stressing the need to accept and fund rail passenger transportation as a National Public Service! [ 28 December 2001: Message edited by: Hank Coolidge ]
Again, I agree with you. An interesting idea, though it probably wouldn't get too far, why not tax the truckers that use the interstate? (If they aren't already - I am not too familiar with this) They are the guys that depend on the interstates, make them responsible. Everytime they enter a waystation why not charge a small fee (based upon mileage - like the railroads do). I know it isn't a realistic idea but think about it - you might reduce the amount of truck traffic, increase dependence on trains and pay for the roads at the same time while saving taxpayers that do not use the roads money. Martian idea? What do you think? Russ
My question is, after 9/11 hasn't Amtrak made some money by now? People are still afraid to fly. I don't expect overnight miracles, but aren't we looking at a vital means of transportation now??? Wake up Congress!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ridership did increase after 9/11 but since then fall back to the old levels. The increase probably didn't even come close to helping Amtrak w/ $$. Hopefully Congress will listen to it's constituents. So don't just talk about it here, talk to your elected representatives on the local, state & federal levels depending on where you live.
My Congressman, Jerry Nadler is so pro trains he wants to build a new freight rail tunnel from Jersey into Brooklyn. He's been pushing this for years. The man is very much in favor of rail travel and freight being moved by rail. I couldn't live in a better district! I watched him standing all alone one day, watching the piles being driven into the ground of our old NYC freight yard. Good old Donald Trump is building 16 buildings on our beloved yard. Sigh. Congress had better wake up. We here should all pledge to take at least one Amtrak ride no matter how short or far in the New Year.
Russ, the trucks are taxed a small amount for using the Interstate sytem, but I'll bet that it doesn't even come close to the percentages that railroads get nailed in taxes!!!. In addition to inventory and use taxes, the railroads also have to pay property taxes on every square inch of real estate they own! Next time you are on an Interstate, check out the lettering on the back of a semi trailer. Most companies proudly post ALL(!) the taxes they pay yearly for that trailer. The last one I saw showed in great big letters: "This Truck Pays $4,083 Per Year In Road Use Taxes!" B I G D E A L !!!!!! I pay almost that for my house every year!!! I would love to know what CSX has to pay for each train that it owns and runs daily, forget about "yearly"! Then add the property taxes. Doggone it, I have to get off this Soapbox, my blood pressure is too high already
I think that everyone here is as upset as you are Hank. All we can do is keep being as supportive as we can of the current rail systems and as you suggested, pester our congressfolk. Read what I posted about the capitol corridor's success. It should help bring your blood pressure down a bit Here is the link: Capitol Corridor Celebrates 10th anniversary Johnny - I am one step ahead of you. I am already planning some daytrips on the Acela for the spring. Russ Hoffman Valley RR
Taking the family with you Russ? i'm looking to take the train to either Newport News, Va. or to Cumberland, Md. or Maybe a combo of both if my wife will let me go. LOL. Just getting in some quality time with my close but long distance relatives. Last time I was in Virginia, I caught a fully loaded military train running through Williamsburg. A first for me although I've seen military cargo up in Lima, Ohio before. This train was loaded with equipment. got a couple of cool shots while it stopped right in front of me. SUPPORT AMTRAK!
Yes Johnny. I plan on taking the kids to D.C. one day and the wife up to Boston. In the spring, both trips are very nice. The last time that I was to Williamsburg I saw several interesting consists. Decent spot for viewing some trains. Also, they have a place called Parade of Trains right near Busch Gardens. If you've never been there they have a huge setup of various scales. Happy railroading and a safe New Year! Russ Hoffman Valley RR
Russ, isn't PARADE OF TRAINS part of the old City Corp layout? Which happens to be back again until 1/6/2002. HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Johnny - Sorry for the long time to reply (but I've been addicted to Train simulator and haven't been online much LOL) I do believe that you are correct, it was a part of the Citicorp layout, the section with the World's Fair/Flushing Meadows to be exact. Have you been to Parade of Trains? Russ Hoffman Valley RR
