Amtrak is a disaster...and you want the government to take over healthcare? Really?

Maddy00 · 10-28-2009, 07:46 AM

Amtrak is a sink hole. Government subsidizes it and has run tis program into the ground. They (as usual) underestimated the cost of the program.

How could anyone want that same government to take over healthcare???

Amtrak still losing money on most passengers

By TED JACKOVICS | The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 27, 2009

TAMPA - Amtrak lost money on 41 of its 45 train lines in 2008, including a $145.23 per passenger loss on the Silver Star that serves Tampa on its New York-Miami run, a Pew Charitable Trusts research group reported Tuesday.

System-wide losses ranged from about $5 to $462 per passenger. The average loss per passenger was about $32, four times the $8 per passenger Amtrak computed using different methods, according to the study by Subsidyscope, which reports on how federal subsidies are used.

The high-speed Acela trains between Boston and Washington made a profit of $40.50 per passenger, compared with conventional trains between Boston and Richmond, Va., that lost $4.73 a passenger.

"The report does not make a judgment on what is right or wrong but is intended to make it easier to show taxpayers and policy makers how fares or routes could be changed, including proposed high speed rail lines," said Marcus Peacock, project director for Subsidyscope.

Subsidyscope calculated profit and loss per passenger by including depreciation on equipment, a calculation Amtrak does not use.

Amtrak officials said they are working with Transportation Department officials to devise a fair way to determine capital expenses following a 2005 Government Accountability Office critique.

The Silver Star's average losses were $5.41 higher than the Amtrak's average loss of $139.82 for long-distance trains. Northeast Corridor trains _ high speed and conventional _ showed a $9.57 per passenger profit while state-supported and short distance trains nationwide lost an average of $32.90, Subsidyscope reported.

"'Subsidy per passenger' is often used as a cheap shot against the long distance trains, which do not get properly recognized for the much longer average trip lengths of their passengers," said Ross Capon, president of the National Association of Railroad Passengers in Washington.

Amtrak's Auto Train, which carries passengers and their vehicles between Sanford and Lorton, Va., just south of Washington, lost $69 a passenger, Subsidyscope reported.

Julester · 10-28-2009, 07:51 AM

And they are in even more deep financial crisis now that Joe ain't ridin' no more!

robine · 10-28-2009, 08:01 AM

This bloating of the govt will be the end of life as free people

10-28-2009, 07:46 AM	#1 (permalink)
Maddy00 10000-15000 post ace of hearts Join Date: May 2002 Location: South Carolina Posts: 13,018 Blog Entries: 368	Amtrak is a disaster...and you want the government to take over healthcare? Really? Amtrak is a sink hole. Government subsidizes it and has run tis program into the ground. They (as usual) underestimated the cost of the program. How could anyone want that same government to take over healthcare??? Amtrak still losing money on most passengers By TED JACKOVICS \| The Tampa Tribune Published: October 27, 2009 TAMPA - Amtrak lost money on 41 of its 45 train lines in 2008, including a $145.23 per passenger loss on the Silver Star that serves Tampa on its New York-Miami run, a Pew Charitable Trusts research group reported Tuesday. System-wide losses ranged from about $5 to $462 per passenger. The average loss per passenger was about $32, four times the $8 per passenger Amtrak computed using different methods, according to the study by Subsidyscope, which reports on how federal subsidies are used. The high-speed Acela trains between Boston and Washington made a profit of $40.50 per passenger, compared with conventional trains between Boston and Richmond, Va., that lost $4.73 a passenger. "The report does not make a judgment on what is right or wrong but is intended to make it easier to show taxpayers and policy makers how fares or routes could be changed, including proposed high speed rail lines," said Marcus Peacock, project director for Subsidyscope. Subsidyscope calculated profit and loss per passenger by including depreciation on equipment, a calculation Amtrak does not use. Amtrak officials said they are working with Transportation Department officials to devise a fair way to determine capital expenses following a 2005 Government Accountability Office critique. The Silver Star's average losses were $5.41 higher than the Amtrak's average loss of $139.82 for long-distance trains. Northeast Corridor trains _ high speed and conventional _ showed a $9.57 per passenger profit while state-supported and short distance trains nationwide lost an average of $32.90, Subsidyscope reported. "'Subsidy per passenger' is often used as a cheap shot against the long distance trains, which do not get properly recognized for the much longer average trip lengths of their passengers," said Ross Capon, president of the National Association of Railroad Passengers in Washington. Amtrak's Auto Train, which carries passengers and their vehicles between Sanford and Lorton, Va., just south of Washington, lost $69 a passenger, Subsidyscope reported. __________________ Maddy Matthew SEVEN! Nathan is now THREE!

10-28-2009, 08:01 AM	#3 (permalink)
robine 10000-15000 post ace of hearts Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Mountaintop Posts: 18,481 Blog Entries: 1756	This bloating of the govt will be the end of life as free people __________________ The modern definition of 'racist' is someone who is winning an argument with a liberal. - Peter Brimelow How many Greats have become the Least for me?

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10-28-2009, 07:51 AM	#2 (permalink)
Julester 5000-9999 post king of hearts Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: RIGHT in the middle of Virginia Posts: 5,932 Blog Entries: 314	And they are in even more deep financial crisis now that Joe ain't ridin' no more!