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Title: Amtrak: The Great American Train Wreck
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URL Source: http://www.thenewamerican.com/opini ... the-great-american-train-wreck
Published: Jun 9, 2011
Author: Bob Confer
Post Date: 2011-06-09 03:36:02 by socalv8
Keywords: amtrak, obama, tax money magic
Views: 12248
Comments: 43
Amtrak trains make passes by my office a few times day as they travel to and from Niagara Falls and points north, including Toronto. Despite the fact that the Falls is one of the most popular tourism destinations on the planet and the rail system stretches across an international border to a region ripe with economic activity, it’s very rare that I see anyone in the passenger cars. It’s patently obvious that public transportation via rail is unpopular, if not useless, in the United States. That’s more than just an anecdotal observation; the proof is in the statistics. According to Amtrak, 78,000 passengers travel on their network daily. Considering we are a nation of approximately 307 million people that means only 0.025 percent of our population frequents the system. That woefully small number, combined with similar numbers from other public and private rail companies, puts the United States in last place among 32 nations that accumulate 5 billion or more passenger kilometers per year. The leader of that pack, Switzerland, sees its average citizen amass 2,422 km/year while commuting via train. The average American travels just 80 km/year by rail. Even though such observational and statistical evidence shows that Americans are disinterested in rail travel, the federal government (and then, in turn, state governments who benefit from federal largesse) insist that we are interested. Truthfully, if the demand for commuter rail did exist in the second half of the 20th century and was a possibility for the first half of the 21st century, we would have seen a huge investment by the private sector in the development of both light rail and high-speed rail. But intelligent capitalists know a loser when they see one and will not enter into a business destined for failure. Government, though, doesn’t understand basic economics — or possess fiscal common sense — and chooses ventures that no one will touch. The government-owned Amtrak has long operated in the red. Last year’s losses were once deemed unfathomable at $419.9 million. They will be topped again for the fiscal year that will end in September when losses are estimated to hit $506 million. Next year’s losses are projected to be $616 million. These ever-growing losses are occurring even while ridership is increasing. This year’s usage is expected to surpass the record of 28.7 million passengers set last year. This shows that the business model — and more likely the market itself — is completely unsalvageable. The only reason that Amtrak stays alive is subsidies by taxpayers. Since the start of the 2000s, the United States has dedicated more than $1 billion per year to the broken system, and matters were only made worse by the Rail Safety Improvement Act signed into law in 2008 which guarantees annual funding of $2.6 billion through 2013, more than covering Amtrak’s losses. Despite the glaring weaknesses of commuter rail (and the federal government’s business acumen), Washington is insistent on spending even more of our money on its ethereal demand. Thinking the concept of high speed rail is the silver bullet that will win over the masses when it comes to the continued socialization of our means of travel, the White House announced in February that it will be “investing” $53 billion over the next six years to build such an inter-city network. That money will be used almost entirely by government entities, state-run operations, and Amtrak alike. The Obama administration's biggest argument is that high-speed rail will be accessible to 80 percent of the population, thus giving them access to jobs and economic development. That is a stretch. One cannot assume that everything will work out just right so that millions of workers can commute from city to city daily and have an easy means to get to their jobs, let alone to the train station from their homes. That thinking may have worked back in the 1800s or early 1900s when development was centralized in the heart of the big cities. But now it won’t, because residential development and the jobs are much more widespread. In most of the United States, the best and most numerous employment opportunities for the average person are no longer to be had in the hearts of metropolises. The city limits and the suburbs are where it’s at; centralization is mostly a thing of the past. So, unless the trains can travel and stop at numerous locations around cities and in suburbia (which they won’t), they won’t be the job creators and commuter timesavers the government thinks they will. Basically, as with the current Amtrak system, there won’t be the user demand to warrant the existence of the enterprise. So, why spend the money? It comes down to a sense of control. The federal message about high-speed rail consistently touts vehicular congestion to and in our biggest metroplexes as well as the environmental impact of the cars as the main reasons why the people should get on board with the concept. Any or both of those reasons are the same the government cites in the need to centralize development, subsidize the purchase of electric cars (and their limited ability to reach great distances), and invest in alternative energy. In all cases, it is hoped the automobile can be taken away from more Americans. That’s because cars, trucks, and SUVs are a threat to the government — they perfectly embody liberty. With them, we have the freedom to freely move about the nation, to visit whom we want, vacation where we want, buy what and from whom we want, work where we want, and live where we want. With more people dependent on public transportation, they will be unable to experience all that life has to offer and all the potential that liberty gives us. Their experiences will be limited to only those narrow corridors where public transportation can take them. It is the federal government’s ultimate goal that our ability to move is directly tied to it, just as has been done with our citizens’ approach to retirement and healthcare where a majority of Americans have been indoctrinated to a reliance on Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and more. Luckily, though, this master plan is set to blow up in Washington’s face. Most Americans won’t go down this path of dependence. We don’t want to; we prefer to control our own destiny and day-to-day travels. Amtrak’s failures have showed that in spades. Even so, high-speed rail will still leave an indelible mark on our country. We’ll be spending billions we don’t have, not just over this six-year project, but for years to come. It’s another piece of the puzzle that is America’s fiscal train wreck, one that — in combination with all of our other overspending woes — could easily derail our once proud and powerful nation.
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#3. To: socalv8 (#0)
Freight by rail is fine, passengers... well not so much!!!!!
"I love the 45 caliber M1911, I respect the 9MM M9 Beretta but I only carry a CZ for my own personal protection". Quote courtesy of Lt Col John Dean Cooper, recognized as the Father of Modern Handgunning
Hmm, using this guy's approach I looked out my window and didn't see any crime or illegal immigrants, so therefore crime and immigration problems are completely overblown. You seem way to smart to post this sort of idiotic analysis.
"Thats because your basically and idiot." Hmm, using this guy's approach I looked out my window and didn't see any crime or illegal immigrants, so therefore crime and immigration problems are completely overblown. You seem way to smart to post this sort of idiotic analysis. Amtrak ridership is up to 28 million people a year, and has grown for the last several years. The Acela, which I ride 3-4 times a year between NY and DC, is always packed.
"Thats because your basically and idiot." I agree...I Acela it to DC a couple of times a year...ALWAYS packed both ways... The security at Reagan has gotten so onerous, btw, that if you aren't in line an hour before the shuttle leaves you're waiting for the next one. It's gotten to the point where coming back from DC that with getting over to Reagan, getting through security, waiting for takeoff that the train is quicker by an hour AND you're in Manhattan.
America...My Kind Of Place... "I truly am not that concerned about [bin Laden]..." "THE MILITIA IS COMING!!! THE MILITIA IS COMING!!!" The Top 50 000 and Rail Roads have been trying to strangle US Train travel since 1974. They're just freaked that anything is still alive. LMFAO 8D
Why is it that every other industrialized nation can have state run railways but the US cannot?
America...My Kind Of Place... "I truly am not that concerned about [bin Laden]..." "THE MILITIA IS COMING!!! THE MILITIA IS COMING!!!" Go back and look at GM's efforts to kill passenger rail in the 40's and 50's to promote sales of buses. In some areas they bought up railroads and shut them down.
"Thats because your basically and idiot." they do random checks at Union Station as passengers board, but I still find I have to be there no more than 15-20 minutes prior to departure - versus 1-2 hrs for Dulles or National.
"Thats because your basically and idiot." 8D I was going to post that, but then didn't. Thanx. And don't forget Firestone... America has been strangled by the Top 50 000 since we went to war with Spain...I guess we should be thankful we have anything...;}
They were trying to do that in the 60s.
It is our responsibility to protect that child once that child’s born too. When we start debating a budget, let’s make sure we don’t cut 100,000 vaccines. Let’s make sure we’ve got health insurance. We seem to worship what we cannot see, but as soon as that baby’s born, oh no, we don’t want to be intrusive. Texas is going to shrink government until it fits inside a women’s uterus. Senator Leticia Van de Putte
Or, Amtrak is state run and failing. Why?
And don't forget Firestone... Interesting...thanks.
You seem way to smart to post this sort of idiotic analysis. If bullshit analysis is exposed, we're all smarter for it. However, I think your analogy is flawed.
Because there is no commitment to rail travel in this nation.
America...My Kind Of Place... "I truly am not that concerned about [bin Laden]..." "THE MILITIA IS COMING!!! THE MILITIA IS COMING!!!" commitment = market Pull the plug or shove people into the market?
It's a quasi-private company that relies on federal funding. But to answer your question - a couple of reasons: - it is forced by Congress to run unprofitable routes - it doesn't have the money to put in high-speed routes where it could generate profit (e.g. the atlantic coast) - it's judged differently than road/rail, neither of which are viable without massive public subsidies. - it doesn't have the lobbying money of rail/road Why is it that we aren't saying "roads are a failure" since we have to institute taxes to support construction/maintenance? Meanwhile, throughout the rest of the world, high speed rail is booming. Meanwhile, go back and look at how airline lobbies killed high speed rail projects around the country.
"Thats because your basically and idiot." Nope. Commitment. Commitment to rail travel means lower cost. You know how the market works. We have no coherent policy on transportation. No coherent policy on power generation. No coherent policy on green technology. Yet, every nation we compete against does. Tell me again why it works for nations that are surpassing us but not for us.
America...My Kind Of Place... "I truly am not that concerned about [bin Laden]..." "THE MILITIA IS COMING!!! THE MILITIA IS COMING!!!" Just about evey tax and toll that you pay that is even vaguely related to tranist supports out highway system. And the irony that the highway system was built over the screaming and kicking of a large segment of out lawmakers shouldn't be lost on anyone.
America...My Kind Of Place... "I truly am not that concerned about [bin Laden]..." "THE MILITIA IS COMING!!! THE MILITIA IS COMING!!!" Because we use them successfully every day. Meanwhile, go back and look at how airline lobbies killed high speed rail projects around the country. Wow, GM, Firestone and Big Air conspired to make people dislike long ass train rides?
I don't know but am curious which nations you see as "surpassing us" and the criteria used. btw, googles homepage today has a strummable, pickable, recordable Les Paul guitar logo thing that is cool.
Amtrak ridership has been increasing each of the last several years and is now up to 28 million a year. The quasi-high speed rail route (well for 30 miles or so) between D.C. and Boston is hugely profitable. So why do you say amtrak is a failure?
"Thats because your basically and idiot." What is it with statists and the allure of railroads?
war has to do something for entertainment. The voices in his head aren't speaking to him and his imaginary friends have found reasons not to come over anymore.
Yea...I've been screwing around with it all day... China...Japan...France...Germany...Great Britan...Canada...Singapore [the most capitalist nation on earth has national health care AND a vast public transpoirtation infrastructure)
America...My Kind Of Place... "I truly am not that concerned about [bin Laden]..." "THE MILITIA IS COMING!!! THE MILITIA IS COMING!!!" My left-coast tax bucks don't care. Let someone run it for a profit, BigGuv has failed to do so. So why do you say amtrak is a failure? Chonic money hemorrhaging.
Hey, it worked for Mussolini... he got the trains to run on time...
List of those unable to think: Bumper sticker on DwarF's car: Indoctrination? ;)
you mean like the airline industry? You keep ducking the issue - the airline industry and auto industries aren't viable without government support, but you only attack Amtrak. i still don't know why conservatives have such a dislike for trains.
"Thats because your basically and idiot." 100 years ago stable owners were bitching about those newfangled autos. Times change.
;} Google LA Train Cars stacked in Salvage Yard, a Classic. They couldn't wait to rip the rails out...
Yep, but back then, I was still able to ride a bike to the station & from my town of 3500 to Chicago... The Town itself barely holds on now. forget the train...8D
What if bus companies had to pay for the use of the roads? Again, you keep applying a different standard to rail. And then there's this: http://blogs.fredericksburg.com/transportation/2011/06/09/feds-shut-down-another-sketchy-bus- line/
"Thats because your basically and idiot." Germany and those nations that follow her mixed market ideology.
"Keep Your Goddamn Government Hands Off My Medicare!" - Various Tea Party signs.
I think it's race. The same animosity is shown for the postal service. Why? Race. I used to think "small govt" really meant small govt to the conservative base - and for some - to be fair - it is just that - but for others it seems limited or small govt is code for race. Trains have always been disproportionally staffed by African Americans for cheaper labor costs and this stigma remains. Also, the postal service in urban areas seems to be staffed by minorities - enough for the racists to notice anyways - so they develop a hatred for that institution. If I have the time I can find comments on Freerepublic about the racial make up of the postal service as one of the reasons for this animosity. I also recall on Freerepublic animosity to road building contracts being set aside for minority owned contractors. But it seems the road building industry is still white dominated so GOpers don't hate it so much. I know it reduces everything too simply to call it racism but I think it actually helps explain the more irrational govt animosities by the so called conservatives.
"Keep Your Goddamn Government Hands Off My Medicare!" - Various Tea Party signs.
I'd never noticed that, but now that I think about it, you're right.
It is our responsibility to protect that child once that child’s born too. When we start debating a budget, let’s make sure we don’t cut 100,000 vaccines. Let’s make sure we’ve got health insurance. We seem to worship what we cannot see, but as soon as that baby’s born, oh no, we don’t want to be intrusive. Texas is going to shrink government until it fits inside a women’s uterus. Senator Leticia Van de Putte
I don't think it's race. I think it's ignorance. Trains are generally run by governments, whereas airlines are run by private companies and cars are privately owned (with massive amounts of government support). It's a deliberate effort to ignore the government support required for air/road travel that's at issue.
"Thats because your basically and idiot." It's a deliberate effort to ignore the government support required for air/road travel that's at issue I used to think so as well but I am of the mind that racism is a factor subconsciously. One example the poster under the name Destro found is on LP one of the reasons against high speed rail was that the system would be shared by blacks. Here is an example of a LP poster being against the Federal govt building high speed rails, standard abstract from the conservative right wing would be that the govt should let the private sector build it and other such arguments. But the LPers are not that smart and they think no one is watching them so the truth slips out: Mass transportation only makes sense in densely populated urban areas. Working-class and middle-class Whites, the people that make the money, moved out of cities to get away from the pathologies of Blacks and Mexicans. The last thing they want is to be jammed in on a train or bus with loudmouthed, uncouth Blacks & Mexicans at 7:00 in the morning. Current mass transit systems in all major cities consistently lose money and are subsidized heavily by State, i.e., White taxpayers. OsamaBinGoldstein posted on 2011-01-21 9:19:32 ET
"Keep Your Goddamn Government Hands Off My Medicare!" - Various Tea Party signs.
They do...fuel tax, no?
No follow up on your amtrak and usps "haters" are "racist" strawman?
What kind of conservative does not support the constitutional USPS? It is an institution of the Federal govt that is constitutionally mandated like the army and navy. What so your strict constructional constitution does not apply in this case? Why? My guess? Because your post office is staffed by minorities and that drives you old kooks crazy.
"Keep Your Goddamn Government Hands Off My Medicare!" - Various Tea Party signs.
I like the post office. You = moot.
#4. To: socalv8 (#0)
it’s very rare that I see anyone in the passenger cars. It’s patently obvious that public transportation via rail is unpopular, if not useless, in the United States.
Badeye posted on 2011-04-29 10:30:22 ET
#5. To: socalv8 (#0)
it’s very rare that I see anyone in the passenger cars. It’s patently obvious that public transportation via rail is unpopular, if not useless, in the United States.
Badeye posted on 2011-04-29 10:30:22 ET
#6. To: go65 (#5)
--GW Bush
--Sarah Palin's version of "The Midnight Ride of Paul revere"
#7. To: socalv8 (#0)
#8. To: socalv8 (#0)
--GW Bush
--Sarah Palin's version of "The Midnight Ride of Paul revere"
#9. To: mcgowanjm (#7)
The Top 50 000 and Rail Roads have been trying to strangle US Train travel since 1974.
Badeye posted on 2011-04-29 10:30:22 ET
#10. To: war (#6)
Tqhe security at Reagan has gotten so onerous, btw, that if you aren't in line an hour before the shuttle leaves you're waiting for the next one. It's gotten to the point where coming back from DC that with getting over to Reagan, getting through security, waiting for takeoff that the train is quicker by an hour AND you're in Manhattan.
Badeye posted on 2011-04-29 10:30:22 ET
#11. To: go65 (#9)
Go back and look at GM's efforts to kill passenger rail in the 40's and 50's to promote sales of buses. In some areas they bought up railroads and shut them down.
#12. To: mcgowanjm (#7)
The Top 50 000 and Rail Roads have been trying to strangle US Train travel since 1974.
#13. To: war (#8)
Why is it that every other industrialized nation can have state run railways but the US cannot?
#14. To: go65, mcgowanjm (#9)
Go back and look at GM's efforts to kill passenger rail in the 40's and 50's to promote sales of buses. In some areas they bought up railroads and shut them down.
#15. To: go65 (#4)
Hmm, using this guy's approach I looked out my window and didn't see any crime or illegal immigrants, so therefore crime and immigration problems are completely overblown.
If there's less crime and illegals about, reduce patrols and manpower...IF the Union let's you. ;)
#16. To: socalv8 (#13)
(Edited)
--GW Bush
--Sarah Palin's version of "The Midnight Ride of Paul revere"
#17. To: war (#16)
Becaus there is no commitment to rail travel in this nation.
#18. To: socalv8 (#13)
(Edited)
Or, Amtrak is state run and failing. Why?
Badeye posted on 2011-04-29 10:30:22 ET
#19. To: socalv8 (#17)
Pull the plug or shove people into the market?
--GW Bush
--Sarah Palin's version of "The Midnight Ride of Paul revere"
#20. To: go65 (#18)
Why is it that we aren't saying "roads are a failure" since we have to institute taxes to support construction/maintenance?
--GW Bush
--Sarah Palin's version of "The Midnight Ride of Paul revere"
#21. To: go65 (#18)
Why is it that we aren't saying "roads are a failure"
#22. To: war (#19)
Tell me again why it works for nations that are surpassing us but not for us.
#23. To: socalv8 (#21)
Because we use them successfully every day.
Badeye posted on 2011-04-29 10:30:22 ET
#24. To: socalv8 (#22)
#25. To: socalv8 (#22)
--GW Bush
--Sarah Palin's version of "The Midnight Ride of Paul revere"
#26. To: go65 (#23)
The quasi-high speed rail route (well for 30 miles or so) between D.C. and Boston is hugely profitable.
#27. To: Rudgear (#24)
What is it with statists and the allure of railroads?
mcgowanjm, ferret mike, skippy, fartboy/yukko, white sands, bucky, lucys idiot mom, e_type_jackoff, go56, badlie, wreck, calCON, mininggold, war, Banjo Boris, Biff, Godwinson and meguro. If you're on the above list, you're too fucking stupid to hold a real conversation.
#28. To: Rudgear (#24)
What is it with statists and the allure of railroads?
#29. To: socalv8 (#26)
Chonic money hemorrhaging.
Badeye posted on 2011-04-29 10:30:22 ET
#30. To: go65 (#29)
i still don't know why conservatives have such a dislike for trains.
Sell off the regional, popular routes and tell everyone else to take a bus.
#31. To: socalv8 (#14)
#32. To: lucysmom (#12)
They were trying to do that in the 60s.
#33. To: socalv8 (#30)
100 years ago stable owners were bitching about those newfangled autos. Times change. Sell off the regional, popular routes and tell everyone else to take a bus.
Feds shut down another sketchy bus line
On the heels of last week’s quadruple-fatal motorcoach crash in Caroline County, the company, Sky Express, allegedly painted its buses and tried to operate under another name, according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. The feds immediately shut down Sky Express.
Today, the FMCSA shut down another bus company that had been, like Sky Express, cited for safety violations and allegedly tried to operate under another name after it was tagged as “unsatisfactory” by the feds.
Badeye posted on 2011-04-29 10:30:22 ET
#34. To: socalv8, war (#22)
I don't know but am curious which nations you see as "surpassing us" and the criteria used.
#35. To: go65, socalv8 (#29)
(Edited)
i still don't know why conservatives have such a dislike for trains.
#36. To: Godwinson (#35)
Also, the postal service in urban areas seems to be staffed by minorities - enough for the racists to notice anyways - so they develop a hatred for that institution.
#37. To: lucysmom, godwinson (#36)
Badeye posted on 2011-04-29 10:30:22 ET
#38. To: lucysmom, go65 (#37)
(Edited)
I don't think it's race. I think it's ignorance. Trains are generally run by governments, whereas airlines are run by private companies and cars are privately owned (with massive amounts of government support).
#39. To: go65 (#33)
What if bus companies had to pay for the use of the roads?
#40. To: Godwinson (#35)
I think it's race. The same animosity is shown for the postal service. Why? Race.
#41. To: Godwinson (#35)
Your ignorance is surpassed only by your inability to react truthfully.
#42. To: socalv8 (#41)
No follow up on your amtrak and usps "haters" are "racist" strawman?
#43. To: Godwinson (#42)
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