I was watching the BBC Parliamentary Channel here in GB amn for some reason beyond me they stuff us full of the political party conference going on just now across the pond. It is of no great interest to the average person here at all. All very juvenile and makwish stuff and certainly not a political party conference as we know them as we have proper events. Anyway the candidate for President, Romney, was interviewed in a studio and he was asked to quote some of the subsidies that would be scrapped if he got in. And the second one or so was Amtrak. So for rail supporters in the ex-Colonies, Romney is a train vanisher! Doesn't bode too well that one does it?
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Could he end national passenger rail in America?
- Thread starter rjhowie
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springtransit
What are you looking at?
I don't recall him saying anything like that, but then again, I am on the other side of the political spectrum. There have been attempts to cut Amtrak's government funding from its inception, but time after time Amtrak has proven a decent form of transport and needs the funding just as roads, highways, and airports do. Really, he can't end passenger rail in America, not with how much we've put into it and supported it in the past 20 years.
Not geting involved...
I'm not going to get involved any way in this years election. You know why? Because both canidates are terrible in my opinion. Obama has done nothing he said he would, and I wouldn't trust Romney for a second. Last election I would have happily voted for Obama because he sounded promising. This year? Nope. Romney for this year? Nope, not even a chance.
Regards,
Carter
I'm not going to get involved any way in this years election. You know why? Because both canidates are terrible in my opinion. Obama has done nothing he said he would, and I wouldn't trust Romney for a second. Last election I would have happily voted for Obama because he sounded promising. This year? Nope. Romney for this year? Nope, not even a chance.
Regards,
Carter
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Mitt Romney's current policy is end all Amtrak subsidies. (a whopping $1 billion/year, or about 1/11 of an aircraft carrier. However, we need those brand-new aircraft carriers to fight against all the aircraft carriers the terrorists have, so whatever.)
What happens if he actually manages that is anyone's guess, but I imagine it would go somewhat like this:
1. Amtrak hikes prices on the long-distance services. Contrary to popular belief, the long-distance trains aren't empty (in fact they're booked solid for months before they leave) but they still lose money because of subsidies keeping the prices low(ish). It's all people on holiday, of course.
2. Amtrak prunes unprofitable routes. (note that this does not necessarily equate with "underused" routes. CSX could hike the price to run trains in the southeast and bam! there goes the Auto-Train.) You'd probably see a lot of mid- to long-distance trains go away. Anything that doesn't make money gets the bin...
3. Amtrak starts to hike prices on the Regionals and the Acela to pay for track maintenance that they are now on the hook for. Infrastructure becomes noticeably worse over time. There simply isn't enough money being made from the Regional, Acela Express, Keystone Service, etc. to keep the Northeast Corridor in tip-top shape. "Temporary" speed restrictions are enacted, trains slow down. Ridership falls, profit falls. People start moving to Megabus and Bolt, even though then you have to hang out at the refugee camp on the dingy sidewalk with 300 other sweaty people in front of 30th Street Station while people try to sell you overpriced water bottles and melted chocolate bars while you wait for the bus. (seriously, Megabus is terrible in Philadelphia.)
4. Amtrak cuts Regional service. Acela service goes the same way after time. Pretty soon the Auto Train is the only thing left because all Amtrak has to pay for is the two depots in Lorton and that other place in that state with all the old people.
5. Norfolk Southern or CSX or some other big nasty angry Class I buys up the NEC and de-electrifies it or makes some very similar short-sighted decision. Meanwhile I-95 becomes a 24/7 parking lot and the airports completely jam with commuter planes. Megabus and Bolt run extra buses to keep up with the demand, but it's not so great with an average speed of 10mph up the now 20-lane New Jersey Turnpike...
6. The entire Northeast collapses because no one can get anywhere anymore. Everyone dies. The end.
That's in the ideal free market Ayn Rand world, though. In reality, this will happen:
1. Mitt Romney proposes to end Amtrak subsidies.
2. Congress says "no" because they want their bimonthly train to East Armpit, State-you-never-heard-of (postal code SN).
3. Amtrak continues to receive meager funding, everyone continues to laugh at it.
What happens if he actually manages that is anyone's guess, but I imagine it would go somewhat like this:
1. Amtrak hikes prices on the long-distance services. Contrary to popular belief, the long-distance trains aren't empty (in fact they're booked solid for months before they leave) but they still lose money because of subsidies keeping the prices low(ish). It's all people on holiday, of course.
2. Amtrak prunes unprofitable routes. (note that this does not necessarily equate with "underused" routes. CSX could hike the price to run trains in the southeast and bam! there goes the Auto-Train.) You'd probably see a lot of mid- to long-distance trains go away. Anything that doesn't make money gets the bin...
3. Amtrak starts to hike prices on the Regionals and the Acela to pay for track maintenance that they are now on the hook for. Infrastructure becomes noticeably worse over time. There simply isn't enough money being made from the Regional, Acela Express, Keystone Service, etc. to keep the Northeast Corridor in tip-top shape. "Temporary" speed restrictions are enacted, trains slow down. Ridership falls, profit falls. People start moving to Megabus and Bolt, even though then you have to hang out at the refugee camp on the dingy sidewalk with 300 other sweaty people in front of 30th Street Station while people try to sell you overpriced water bottles and melted chocolate bars while you wait for the bus. (seriously, Megabus is terrible in Philadelphia.)
4. Amtrak cuts Regional service. Acela service goes the same way after time. Pretty soon the Auto Train is the only thing left because all Amtrak has to pay for is the two depots in Lorton and that other place in that state with all the old people.
5. Norfolk Southern or CSX or some other big nasty angry Class I buys up the NEC and de-electrifies it or makes some very similar short-sighted decision. Meanwhile I-95 becomes a 24/7 parking lot and the airports completely jam with commuter planes. Megabus and Bolt run extra buses to keep up with the demand, but it's not so great with an average speed of 10mph up the now 20-lane New Jersey Turnpike...
6. The entire Northeast collapses because no one can get anywhere anymore. Everyone dies. The end.
That's in the ideal free market Ayn Rand world, though. In reality, this will happen:
1. Mitt Romney proposes to end Amtrak subsidies.
2. Congress says "no" because they want their bimonthly train to East Armpit, State-you-never-heard-of (postal code SN).
3. Amtrak continues to receive meager funding, everyone continues to laugh at it.
I'd vote for Ron Paul. I'd also cut money on airplanes and spend billions of dollars to upgrade I tastes tire for Amtrak and have them double the amount of long distance trains they run. I'd also cut money on the interstate and pretty much force the people either to take the train when the travel because the roads are so bad or don't travel at all. And I'd force airline companies to triple all their fares making it unaffordable to ride the plane and reduce the food service to zero. In other words no alcohol, beverages, or food whatsoever on domestic flights. I'm sure people either won't travel or take the train and make the prices fall down to half to lure people to the train.
I don't think this is the correct place to be discussing politics, especially since there seem to be some young members who don't pay income taxes, have children, and probably think the GDP is some kind of short line railroad. All these government actions you think you're so fond of because they may promote Amtrak have to be paid for by someone, and guess what? You're the suckers!
Right now you're thinking you're going to have some great high paying job, and you're going to have loads of money and no children and no bills, but guess what kids? It doesn't turn out that way. Our government has already seen to it that you won't have social security to rely on, and probably not medicare either. I know, right now you're care free and the future looks bright, but someday you'll be old and scared and alone. That's the way we all die if we live long enough.
Right now you're thinking you're going to have some great high paying job, and you're going to have loads of money and no children and no bills, but guess what kids? It doesn't turn out that way. Our government has already seen to it that you won't have social security to rely on, and probably not medicare either. I know, right now you're care free and the future looks bright, but someday you'll be old and scared and alone. That's the way we all die if we live long enough.
Frankly, I gave up "fearing" for Amtrak years ago. Many people have tried to kill it over the years, Bush wanted to chop it up into different sections and abandon all long distance passenger service. However, for 40 years, Amtrak has survived, and thrived. Even with shoestring budget for 40 years, constant threat of cuts, and many other intentional road blocks to prevent the railroad from operating properly. They carried over 30 Million people last year, ridership has been on a climb for the last 5 years plus, so I believe, no matter the attempts of those in the government to kill it, that Amtrak will Survive, and continue to thrive.
And for anyone talking about the subsidy argument....Highway's for the most part don't make a dime, and take huge federal subsidy's to keep maintained. But I don't ever see someone complaining about that. Airports take far more percentage wise to subsidize also, and the airlines seem to need a bailout every few years. So pick your battles
And for anyone talking about the subsidy argument....Highway's for the most part don't make a dime, and take huge federal subsidy's to keep maintained. But I don't ever see someone complaining about that. Airports take far more percentage wise to subsidize also, and the airlines seem to need a bailout every few years. So pick your battles
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illinoiscentral
SARM Volunteer
This is all ridiculous what Romney is doing. UP is spending billions of dollars right now FOR AMTRAK to improve their lines. Now that is all going to waste. Right now Obama sounds like the better bet.
Perhaps, I've got my head in my rear end...but I don't believe Union Pacific is paying for the high speed rail corridor in Illinois. That is mostly government funds for infrastructure improvement.
Cheers,
Woody
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