(UK) Fewer trains, fares to rise, in shake-up of railways

[Dharmster]

Fewer trains, fares to rise, in shake-up of railways

 

[jordanb]

The privitization has been such a mess that even the Tories have admitted it was a mistake! Now why is Bush trying to do that to Amtrak and actually hiring the people who privitized British rail to do it?

 

[The One]

Amtrak

Maybe the current administration wants to get rid of Amtrak. By turning it over to a private operator it would be doomed to failure (high costs/in the red every year). Amtrak would go out of business and be replaced with very limited rail service where it could make money. (DC to Boston routes)

 

[jordanb]

That's exactly what Bush wants to do, but the northeast corridor (DC to Boston) doesn't make money ether. Actually, it's the biggest single drain on Amtrak's finances, primarily because its falling apart and Congress won't pay to fix it, so Amtrak has to pay millions every year just to keep it safe to send trains over it.

 

[Rumpy Tunanator]

That's exactly what Bush wants to do, but the northeast corridor (DC to Boston) doesn't make money ether. Actually, it's the biggest single drain on Amtrak's finances, primarily because its falling apart and Congress won't pay to fix it, so Amtrak has to pay millions every year just to keep it safe to send trains over it.

If they took the $50,000 (for each vehicle) the government reimburses people for buying suvs & trucks for business use, and invested it in the railroad system, maybe Amtrak would be in better condition.

But then again, sometimes (most of the time) it is cheaper (and quicker) to fly than travel via rail.