Why Moonbats Love Trains

Moonbattery ^ | March 10, 2011

[La Lydia]

Taxpayers who use Amtrak have their travel subsidized by the huge percentage of taxpayers who don't use Amtrak. Taxpayers who drive cars are paying their own way. It would make more sense to figure out which Amtrak routes pay their own way and concentrate on those. If train travel were a good investment, the private sector would be investing in and operating trains.

An independent analysis found that the average operational loss per passenger on all 44 of Amtrak's routes was $32 in 2008 (this study was done by the pro-Amtrak Pew Charitable Trust) The only profitable line was the higher-speed Acela Express in the Northeast Corridor. However, the Northeast Corridor's Northeast Regional line, which has more than twice the number of riders as the Acela, lost money per passenger. The Sunset Limited, which runs from New Orleans to Los Angeles, lost an astounding $462 per passenger.

[Slip18]

I remember years ago traveling from Fullerton, Ca, to Las Vegas. It was a six hour drive, but I wanted to take Amtrak. Commercial trains have the right of way, so we had to wait in Bakersfield for two hours. All in all it took nine hours. But what a ball.

Another passenger had a year’s pass and used it to visit his children.

[Joe 6-pack]

"Couple of days ago the head of AMTRAK told TSA to stay away from his trains."

Just another government turf battle. Don't be surprised if the TSA ends up winning it. Frankly, I'm surprised they haven't been able to make NASA Astronauts submit to a grope before going into orbit.

[Slip18]

Good one, Joe!

[B4Ranch]

I’m past the stage where I consider efficiency. I am disgusted with the gov’s attempt to control the passengers on public transportation and I refuse to partake.

[ReverendJames]

A long time ago trains were king. Then came automobiles and planes and trains faded. Operators sold their passenger lines to the government and resorted to just freight. Now as trains are becoming more popular I think things will change. Slowly at first but I think it will improve to where private investors might take a second look.

[goldstategop]

I am a fan of good rail service. I just don’t think other people should be forced to pay for it!

[ResearchMonkey]

 

Our family loves taking the train for long distance trips, it a great opportunity to spend time together. Last summer our family rode the Sunset Limited to NOLA for vacation, and to shoot a family video.

I've always preferred trains over flying when I have the time. We've met some really great conservatives on trains, we're still in touch with two party's we met while traveling for a few days. Of course there are the occasional filthy hippy but our time on the train has always been time well spent.

I'll only get a cabin if I must, like if I have to do work on a business trip. We got the big family cabin and a double berth for a family trip once, we decided we liked the coach seating better.

I don't mind driving the 250 miles to 'GranMa's' but I would never drive my own car to San Francisco. It's just too much hassle to drive a non-resident vehicle up there.

I haven't flown since 9/11 and I'd rather not now.

 

*****vanity*****

Here's a screen-shot from the video we shot while in NOLA. It's not quite finished, I broke both of my arms and a camera before we could film the open/close. (we'll film that this spring)

The video is based on the Mojave Memorial Cross. I think FReepers will enjoy it.

Click it ^

 

[WashingtonSource]

This is the SEIU local in New Orleans founded by uber-radical Wade Rathke, who started ACORN.

[Yardstick]

Did George Will write those last two italicized paragraphs? If so, then kudos to George Will, because he nailed it.

[La Lydia]

What a family destination! ACORN headquarters. Now THAT is funny. So you are getting your money’s worth out of tax-subsidized travel opportunities. Good for you.

[La Lydia]

Yes, the italicized parts are George Will.

[ResearchMonkey]

"This is the SEIU local in New Orleans founded by uber-radical Wade Rathke, who started ACORN."

Why yes, yes it is. -- At one point the balcony had 4-5 people watching us tying to figure out what-the-heck we were doing.

We already had our eye on filming at that building; then ...with oil spill we decided NOLA was the place to go. We couldn't get close to oil areas to film unfortunately.

 

[aumrl]

Can we be accurate and specify ‘passenger’ trains?.
Freight railroads are quite efficient and are ‘for profit’ companies.

[itsahoot]

I am disgusted with the gov’s attempt to control the passengers on public transportation and I refuse to partake.

Good Luck.

[La Lydia]

Yes, of course you are right. The article I posted, above, at the beginning of this thread, deals with high speed passenger rail. I don’t remember mentioning anything about freight trains.

[ResearchMonkey]

Oh we did plenty of other things too, acorn was just gravy. We saw the WWII Museum, swamps, and we have friends there.

I may be wrong but aren’t airports partially funded with public funds? I can’t imagine they are fully funded on user frees alone.

[La Lydia]

Airlines and air freight companies have paid user fees for the construction and maintenance of the the major passenger airports since the early 70s. Those costs are, of course, passed on to passengers and freight customers. Large airports are pretty much self-financing. However, there is a program that provides federal subsidies to airlines for providing service to some small airports, depending on how effective their legislators are in getting them the funding, which is delivered in the form of grants. All that said, there is a difference between an airport, and an an entire system of passenger train service. A better comparison would be between airports and train stations.

[Minn]

AMTRAK is heavily booked.

Which explains why it is profitable on its own and requires no subsidies.

[dearolddad]

The Sunset Limited, which runs from New Orleans to Los Angeles, lost an astounding $462 per passenger.

Maybe they plan on making it up in volume