On Tuesday, April 9, 2019 at 5:58:05 PM UTC-4, Peter T. Daniels wrote:   
      
   > AIUI, the only profitable bit of all of Amtrak is the Northeast Corridor.   
   > Maybe if they ever manage to do high-speed rail between L.A. and S.F.,   
   > people would use that line. But anywhere else?   
      
   All modes of transportation are unprofitable and require some   
   kind of subsidy.  Highways and airways get tons of money from   
   general tax revenues, both direct and indirect.   
      
   "Profitability" is not a relevant metric.   
      
   Presently, Amtrak is carrying record ridership despite relatively   
   lousy yet expensive service.  Yet, it would carry   
   far more people if it had the capacity to handle them.   
      
   If Amtrak could offer quality service in high travel corridors   
   it could triple its ridership.  Today, highways and airways   
   are unable to meet travel demand in busy corridors.   
      
   Unfortunately, conservatives and long demonized Amtrak as   
   evil (read a tea-party website) and have fought to kill   
   Amtrak altogether.  Amtrak is lucky it has managed to   
   survive, but lots of people see its justification.   
   Sadly, it has not had the investment necessary to offer   
   more reliable service, let alone expand.   
      
   David Gunn prepared numerous plans for basic improvements   
   and expansion, very cost effective ideas.  A lotta bang   
   for the buck.  They fired him for doing that.   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)