I think it would be a good idea for the class 1’s over the next couple of years to take over passenger service over the routes they own. Only keep Amtrak in Prime areas like NEC and Claiforna, where they get the most riders. If the other class ones take over the rest of the country, I bet there would be more routes and it would be cheaper and way better managed. what do you guys think? Thanks kevin
I think that Amtrak should sale the Northeast Corrilor and lower the prices.
You mean each city/county have it’s own commuter service? Such as Metrolink in L.A. and CalTrain in San Fransisco?
Class 1’s would still be in the passenger business if it were profitable. It’s not.
I’ve always thought that the Class Ones should never have left the passenger business because done right it is the best contact a railroad can have with the public. My own idea is similar to the suggestion, except that now a subsidy is needed. First you would need a massive investment to put everything in first class shape to make it worthwhile for the Class Ones to take it over. Ten Billion Dollars. Then you would need a subsidy, possibly in the form of general corporate income-tax break from the Federal Government, that would give an incentive for each railroad to want to have the passenger business. This could be a formular on the basis of miles traveled and number of passengers. Possibly iundividdual passenger count multiplied by the square root of the distance traveled (carrying a passenger 200 miles does not cost half as much as carrying him/her 400 miles.) The chances of getting such a practical scheme adopted by the Government, the States, and the Railroads seems unlikely at best so I’d just as soon stick with Amtrak and get David Gunn the money he needs. Still, the vision of Armor Yellow streamliners every hour between Chicago and St. Louis, with every other one going on to Kansas City is a very appealing one, along with Green and Gold streamliners between Atlanta and Birmingham and New Orleans.
Bring back the Amtrak between Chicago and Toronto. Have a couple of customs folks on board with some kind of scanning machine at Windsor and Detroit so the passengers don’t have to get off and wait. I recommend that U.S Customs start investing in using retinal scan and when I get a job with Canada Customs, I’ll do the same.
Also, I want a train that stops in Houston so I can visit some friends there without having to get off at Longview and take the darn Greyhound.
I wouldn’t mind another train that stops at Fostoria so I can take the trains there and not arrive at 2 or 3am.
I think we should give railroads a tax break if they operate their own passenger trains.Since airports don’t pay property taxes,then any rail line that has a privitely owned passenger train on it shouldn’t have to pay property taxes either. Joe G.
Lets be truthful about this. The reason the rr carriers don’t & won’t operate psgr service is that is will not make money. If a large profit could be attained from this, the freight rrs would be doing it now. To begin with, they never would have got out of it in 1971. Don’t get me wrong, it would be nice if we could go back to the old days but it just simply not going to take place. Be happy with what is out there now although I know at times its hard
Dragenrider,
I agree with Sammy. We have to face facts: Even at full capacity passenger trains lose money. Unfortunately there is an even worse problem today: Liability! Railroad managers “cringe” at this.
This is why we now see fewer railfan trips and excursions as the required insurance premiums are through the roof because juries persist in awarding atrocious amounts in cases where it is not merited.
The only thing that the next generation can do is elect officials that are willing to support passenger rail. Our attitude has to change. If gas does get to and stay at $3 a gallon, attitudes will change quickly!
Talking about more stations, If there was one in Colorado Springs, I would take the train all the time, even if its just to Denver.
They need to extend the Acela to Montreal via Boston. Well not need but would be nice just the same.
If Denver Light Rail keeps expanding, you might ride an interurban car to Denver -from Colorado Springs. I honestly think the day will come!