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June ridership sets Amtrak record
We need to fund Amtrak and cut aid to all foreign countries.
If the numbers of riders are up, logic dictates that a fare increase is in order because demand is greater than supply. Anybody capable of understanding economics knows this. Therefore if Amtrak is so great and wonderful, increase the fares until the demand starts to drop. Then lower the fares slightly until demand starts to increase very slightly. That is the sweet spot. Something which socialist run big government can’t figure out because, face it, big government socialists don’t get paid to think. They just get paid to line their own pockets at provider class expense, no matter how poorly they perform. The only way they know of to increase their pocket lining is to make sure a money loser like Amtrak loses even more money so it requires an even larger bite out of the provider class, with little regards to what will happen if the provider class ever decided to go Galt.
As a side benefit to increased fares, less subsidy is required from the provider class because the number of trains has not increased. Without an increase in trains, the crew size is the same. Obama claims the economy is stable, therefore no Amtrak employee needs a raise unless the employee is able to prove otherwise by increasing productivity. As for the claim that Amtrak is being forced to operate with old equipment that is not maintained, look at the commuter operations like Metra. They operate with locomotives built before the locomotives Amtrak uses. You don’t see them jumping up and down screaming for new stuff. The maintenance department at Amtrak needs to learn how to perform proper preventative maintenance like a commuter operator. When you stop and think about it, Amtrak is somewhere between a commuter operator and a land based cruise ship for tourists.
We hear this and think great news. The jackasses in Washington hear the same and decide cuts are in order.
I guess if something’s working it’s time to defund it!
“Hey, that (gov) program works, quick - cut it before anyone notices!!” Logic brought to you by the letters G, O, and P.
It’s obvious, isn’t it? Record ridership means they are getting too much money. duh [/sarcasm]
Obviously, if they are carrying more passengers, then they need less money, right?
Truly astonishing that Amtrak is on pace for another record fiscal year despite Hurricane Sandy disrupting the NEC for days at the start of FY2013. Also astonishing, but not suprising that the congressional GOP would cut nearly 1/3 of the annual funding despite the year over year gains in ridership.
Somewhere in Illinois there is a parrot in someone’s house that only says “provider class!” and “big government socialist!”
Perhaps those whose logic says to increase Amtrak fares should consider increasing tolls on our Interstate Highway System. Right now the toll is set at zero. If we increased it until ridership begins to drop off looking for that interstate “sweet spot” people would be able to make a truly economic decision about how to travel.
Talk of increasing fares is fine if what you want is less train travel. I don’t know any “big government socialists” (ask someone from China), but I do see a lot of big oil lobbyists who would love to stall the progress of passenger rail.
Anybody capable of understanding business knows that the way to grow is NOT by cutting back in spending at the first sign of success.
Leave Amtrak’s funding alone.
Response to Mr. .Norton, please refer to jackasses in Washington as Republican Jackasses. EVERY Republican I talk to confirm s my opinion that abortion should remain legal.
Response to Mr. .Norton, please refer to jackasses in Washington as Republican Jackasses. EVERY Republican I talk to confirm s my opinion that abortion should remain legal.
Typical Washington logic. Maybe this is their way of hiding the idiocy they view as progress. Lets kill thousands more on the highway and in the air. The GOP has to downplay every piece of progress if it wasnt their idea.
@ the Goose: Amtrak does increase its fares in high demand(in- season) and decreases fares in the off-season. Just look at Amtrak’s web cite. Check your facts before posting your incorrect, silly, ridiculous, and comical comments.
As for Metra, they have been buying “new stuff”: 27 MP36PH-3S in 2003 and 160 Bi-level Nippon Sharyo electric EMU’s in 2012 for $585 million.
As for Amtrak replacing their old locomotives, according to Nov. 2012 “Trains” magazine article, Amtrak locomotives are the hardest working locomotives in North America, with alot of miles and usuage!!! Amtrak shop employees know how to maintain and rebuilt old and wrecked equipment. I have seen it with my own eyes when I took a tour of Beech Grove shops. Its impressive!!!
Again Goosie, read the article, and get the facts correctly before you blog nonsense!!!
As a republican I stand amazed that when they hold the majority they continue the failed approaches of the past funded by the bus, highway, and aviation lobbies.
That is so typical of the Greedy Oil Party or more appropriately Greedy Obstructionist Pricks. Look to the Koch Bros of whom the Repubs are beholden to, want Amtrak’s head on a silver platter. It’s a known fact that the Koch Bros. are in the energy business big time and they want NO mode of transportation that uses less fuel. Again these Neanderthals parrot the same old flatulence; “It’s cheaper to fly each and every Amtrak rider”.
Amtrak focuses on reporting ridership and revenue numbers. It consistently leaves out the other side of the accounting equation. Costs!
The average fully allocated loss per passenger mile in 2012 was approximately 18 cents, which was an improvement over 2011.
The May 2013 YTD operating loss per passenger mile increased 1.3 cents over the corresponding period for 2012. The projected total loss through September 2013, which is the end of Amtrak’s fiscal year, is projected to increase approximately $70 million.
Although ridership is increasing, if the current trend continues, it and the corresponding revenue increases will not be sufficient to offset Amtrak’s increasing costs.
Amtrak requires a higher subsidy per passenger mile than any other form of commercial transportation. To report just half of the accounting equation is disingenuous.
Instead of cutting…they need to get some more money into Amtrak to get these locomotives going.