Sadly, Amtrak seems likely to vanish soon. Reduction of auto pollution and congestion is worth nothing; only profits matter. Profit is the only quantifiable motive for any governmental program, profit, profit profit. Bleh.
States or the railroads they contract with in the future would be responsible for subsidizing money-losing routes, he said. But not even Amtrak's most popular Acela service, in the Northeast corridor, makes a profit. Amtrak, like most transportation operations worldwide, is government-subsidized and has not made a profit since its inception in 1970.In addition to revamping service, control of Amtrak's Union Station hub would be transferred to a local authority, possibly the Metra commuter railroad, Mineta said. Amtrak owns Union Station and nearby rail infrastructure.
Critics say the reorganization plan is a thinly disguised attempt to kill Amtrak. In his fiscal 2006 budget, President Bush called for stripping Amtrak of all federal operating assistance--more than $500 million annually--and said the trains should run only on routes that ensure a profit.
Tribune
