Posted by Dan Ewert : 1/29/2003 11:38:00 PM (Archive Link)
A few days ago, I read this article concerning Amtrak and its request of Congress for more funds… specifically, it’s asking for $10 billion in the next five years in order to keep running. I’ve complained about this in previous posts. I can’t stand Amtrak. It’s never made money and never will make money. Even the company’s president says so. It’s absurd that the government should continue subsidizing such a huge white elephant. Rail travel can be an effective and efficient method of transportation and a good rail company is also effective and efficient, like any good company should be. Amtrak, though, has spent its entire existence suckling on Uncle Sam. If a business never faces the prospect of its demise and if it has an almost unlimited cash flow from the government, then it has no incentive to streamline and to cut fat. Amtrak is essentially America’s own nationalized company and it demonstrates why socialist methods don’t work. The government needs to build up some courage and stop letting Amtrak hold it hostage for money every year by threatening to shut down rail lines in the northeast. It’s embarrassing if nothing else.