Chance of Amtrak being shutdown?

Question

What are the chances of Amtrak shutting down? I mean completely. From what i've heard, its unprofitable and with flights so cheap now, why would anyone take a train for more than a few hours?

Answer 1

pancakes gave the best infomration on the one cannot really top that answer

Answer 2

Amtrak cannot make money, no good passenger rail service is self sufficient, they must be subsidized.

Same as airline travel, you dont pay even a fraction of the cost of building and maintaining airports with your airline tickets. The private airline companies make money because they are subsidized by not having to pay a full share of the airport costs.

Anyone who cares about the environment will take a train, far far more fuel efficient.

Rail equipment is cheaper to build and is endlessly re-buildable, airplanes certainly cant say this.

As time goes on, you will see less and less short and intermediate distance air travel.

You question could be re-worded to say why would anyone take a plane for any trip less than 3 or 4 hundred miles?

Answer 3

With a good election coming in the near future, Amtrak's future looks sound.

Answer 4

around zero

to me

its a hassle to fly even if your flight is only a hour you have to

get there at least 1 to 2 hours in advance of your flight

then stand in one to check your baggage , another line to

get your boarding pass and another line to go though secuirty

and then cant take any drinks with you (though secuirty)

what a hassle,

using train none of this! its more fun and you can

see the countryside from the train -trying seeing that

from an airplane!

(some people dont want to fly

and remember planes cant not service *every* city

in the world,

Answer 5

VERY small.... even though the Bush Administration was trying to cut Amtrak from the budget.

I don't know WHERE you get your info that "flights are so cheap now"... air travel costs are rising FAR faster than inflation and fuel prices.  PLUS, the government has bailed out several of the airlines TWICE since 9/11... speaking of "unprofitable"

Amtrak has a few profitable routes... on the East and West coasts.  The GOV needs to force more rail use.

Answer 6

Amtrak has been unprofitable from it's inception in the early 70's.  If Amtrak finally does become insolvent, each line will run as it's own business.  Ie, Chicago to Los Angeles.  Of course, the quality will drop, and safety issues will appear.

Our family takes Amtrak to Washington DC every other year.  The transportation is part of the vacation.  If you're not in a hurry, Amtrak still is a beautiful way to travel.