Amtrak To Get Nearly $2 Billion In Welfare

• June 30, 2005

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The House of Representatives defied the Bush administration on Wednesday by approving more than $1.17 billion for Amtrak next year, which could avert a threatened shutdown of the national rail system.
The surprise action in an amendment to a transportation and treasury appropriations bill was a breakthrough in congressional wrangling over Amtrak funding. Lawmakers also stripped from the bill a requirement that Amtrak end service on its most unprofitable long-distance routes.
“This sends a strong message that many in Congress believe that we need to maintain a national passenger rail system,” Amtrak said in a statement.
The 34-year-old rail network boasts record ridership but has never made money and is nearly $4 billion in debt. It relies on massive government subsidies to survive.

Am I the only one who’s wondering why we need a rail system that cannot, and has never, support itself from its own profits? I agree with those who say that infrastructure is vital to this country’s continued economic strength, but instead of taxing people to pay for their transportation why not just let the people keep their money and pay a little more for travel fare?
Maybe that makes too much sense.

Tags: General

http://Array WOOF

Airlines, airports, roads are subsidized why not rail?
http://sayanythingblog.com robport

Roads are a differnet matter. Unless we want toll roads everywhere they should be government subsidized.

Airlines and trains are private enterprise, however. They should exist on their own profits.
http://sayanythingblog.com/ likwidshoe

WOOF said, Airlines, airports, roads are subsidized why not rail?

Please explain the logic used in this kind of thinking. Thank you.
WOOF

There is no logic , just political power, that's the point.
arb

$1.17 Billion becomes "nearly $2 Billion" in your headline. I first thought to blame Reuters, but the link provided shows that their headline reads "House approves $1.17 billion for Amtrak." I guess you really *will* "Say Anything."
http://sayanythingblog.com/ likwidshoe

WOOF said, There is no logic , just political power, that's the point.

Then why didn't you make your point obvious? It didn't read the way you intended.
http://sayanythingblog.com/2005/11/09/amtrak-chief-axed/ Say Anything – North

&heellip; Amtrak, in it’s 34 four years of existence, has never turned a profit. More recently, it has been sucking up nearly $2 billion/year in government subsidies and is nearly $4 billion in debt. &heellip;
http://porkopolis.blogspot.com/2005/06/so-much-for-fiscal-conservatives-in. Porkopolis: Rants on

&heellip; So much for fiscal conservatives in Congress House approves $1.17 billion for Amtrak.Hat Tip: Say Anything and Wizbang &heellip;

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Amtrak To Get Nearly $2 Billion In Welfare

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