Amtrak service wastes taxpayer's money and hurts private companies
WSDOT just issued this press release talking about “record ridership” in 2010 on its Amtrak Cascade service.
Last year the entire line carried 838,251 trips, which is about 10 percent higher than 2009, according to the WSDOT. And the service between Seattle and Vancouver B.C. carried 138,000 riders.
I have been very critical of Amtrak service, especially the second train that was added between Seattle and Vancouver B.C. First of all, Amtrak service competes with private intercity transportation services, like charter buses and more importantly the airline industry. Amtrak’s public subsidy places airlines at a competitive disadvantage and there are examples where some airlines have had to cut service.
Secondly, the higher ridership on Amtrak was mostly a result of the Winter Olympics held in Vancouver B.C., so it’s not surprising that more people used the service.
Finally, according to the WSDOT press release, 138,000 trips were taken on the four trains between Seattle and Vancouver B.C. That equals 378 daily trips, or 95 trips per day, per train.
Amtrak loses millions of dollars per year to operate its trains. These loses are subsidized by taxpayers. Spending millions of dollars in public money to carry 378 people between Seattle and Vancouver B.C. is laughable and unnecessary when there are plenty of other travel alternatives.
Amtrak’s public subsidy wastes taxpayer’s money and hurts private companies. If Amtrak wants to continue this service, then users should fully cover their own transportation costs, not taxpayers.
Comments
Why don't drivers pay the
Why don't drivers pay the full cost of driving? Why has the gas tax not been raised since 1993 and the Highway fun losing money every year and has to get millions a year out of the non user general fund? The amtrak subsidy has gone down every year and is getting ever closer to breaking even. the better the service and the more frequency it has the more riders it attracts, the more riders = less subsidy. WSDOT has committed to making it better, they bough nicer trains than the rest of the country, better seats, wi-fi now and even a better bistro car is coming. i like having the quality alternative to not being forced to drive 4-5 hrs to vancouver or portland. The greyhound is not quality.
PS: Who pays for the runways, the air traffic control, the fancy terminals, the security at the airport maybe the private airlines should have to pay for all there infrastructure too and pass the cost to the passenger with this same model.
Why don't drivers pay the
Why don't drivers pay the full cost of driving? Why has the gas tax not been raised since 1993 and the Highway fun losing money every year and has to get millions a year out of the non user general fund? The amtrak subsidy has gone down every year and is getting ever closer to breaking even. the better the service and the more frequency it has the more riders it attracts, the more riders = less subsidy. WSDOT has committed to making it better, they bough nicer trains than the rest of the country, better seats, wi-fi now and even a better bistro car is coming. i like having the quality alternative to not being forced to drive 4-5 hrs to vancouver or portland. The greyhound is not quality.
PS: Who pays for the runways, the air traffic control, the fancy terminals, the security at the airport maybe the private airlines should have to pay for all there infrastructure too and pass the cost to the passenger with this same model.
Kinda agree...
Kinda agree because I believe the full fare/cost of $30 or so between Mt. Vernon & Seattle should be charged. It's NOT a commuter service unlike the Sounder extension being discussed, it's a tourism/intercity service. I buy business class because of a) the subsidy and b) I simply cannot afford the cost due to my disabilities of $200-$500 to get to Seattle on trips via car & driver or private aviation charter.
But if Amtrak Cascades were to go, where's the alternative airline for Skagit County to connect to Seattle? Have to ask.
Thanks.