Musk is lying. Compared to Europe, Amtrak is a model of cost efficiency.

[Hiawatha Pete]

Rail lines in Europe like SNCF (France) & DB (Germany) are indeed state owned & subsidized.

And just like Amtrak's Acela, only the high speed lines like the TGV cover their operating costs (infographic below):

Meanwhile the legacy routes are highly subsidized to the tune of 75% of overall operating costs (infographic below):

In fact, compared to Europe, Amtrak is a model of cost efficiency with long distance trains like the Empire Builder only requiring a 40% subsidy.



Also, unlike flights, trains have the ability to serve multiple cities on one route: http://www.narprail.org/site/assets/files/1036/nationalnetwork.pdf

Unlike a flight from Chicago to LA, Amtrak's Southwest Chief serves over 30 intermediate stops, or 500 city pairs, on one route - many with no reasonable public transport alternative, much less an airport.

To replace that one train would require over 500 flights - creating orders of magnitude more pollution & greenhouse gasses,

Eliminating service would be discriminatory to those with medical conditions unable to fly or drive. Hopefully those left stranded by any idiotic service cuts launch a class action lawsuit against those responsible.

My credentials are I've traveled over 500,000 km on trains in Canada, the US and Europe. Don't believe me? see my website: https://northamericabyrail.info/

Amtrak has good service.

[Cha]

1. Of Course that MF Putin PUppet is Lying.. They want to Destroy Our

Country.

Mahalo, Hiawatha Pete

[Hiawatha Pete]

2. Agree 100%. Thanks for the response & for checking out my post, Cha!

[Cha]

3. You're so Welcome! we have to pass these Facts

around With Hope there's a Way to STOP IT.

[Hiawatha Pete]

4. +1000

[Baron2024]

5. Good Post

I love Amtrak. Good info.

[Hiawatha Pete]

6. Thanks for the compliment & for checking out my post, Baron2024!

[Baron2024]

7. No Problem

Have a good night!

[Trailrider1951]

8. I've traveled all over the western USA on Amtrak

And I've always enjoyed my rides. Most of Amtrak's equipment is old, and the trains are currently completing their latest refreshment. It's a great way to travel if you have the time. It is relaxing and is a more civilized way to travel. And it makes more sense than flying if you're going a shorter distance, like from Seattle to Portland, Austin to Dallas, or Pittsburgh to Philadelphia. Most of amtrak's problems stem from lack of funding, from those republicans who starve it of funding and then whine that it isn't as good as Europe's or Japan's. It provides a public service, especially to small towns that have no close proximity to major airports. And yes, the trains are often late. This is due to the fact that, outside of the Northeast Corridor, the freight companies own the railroads and often do not yield to passenger trains, even though they are supposed to. Amtrak should be better supported by our Congress.

[Hiawatha Pete]

13. +1000, Well said Trailrider1951

Especially "Most of amtrak's problems stem from lack of funding, from those republicans who starve it of funding and then whine that it isn't as good as Europe's or Japan's"

[Retrograde]

9. Compared to Musk's Hyperlink

Amtrak actually works and is capable of carrying actually passengers to actual destinations. It's a bit slow - SF to LA is about 8 hours rather than the less than an hour Elon promised with Hyperlink - but as I stated, it exists.

[Hiawatha Pete]

14. Agree 100% , Retrograde

Hyperloop is a false choice used only to undermine future transit projects that have the potential to benefit millions of people.

[AmericaUnderSiege]

10. Just to chime in, my experiences on Amtrak are way better than on any airline.

Speaking as someone who can't afford whatever kiss-ass packages the douchebags are on about.

[Hiawatha Pete]

15. +1 . That's been my experience too, AmericaUnderSiege. n/t

[MadameButterfly]

11. Bus and car companies got rid of trolleys

that were more energy efficient so they could make money. Now that are getting rid of inner city bus stations because the real estate is suddenly valuable and the economic class that uses busses doesn't have clout.

Are trains next? Of course privatizing would put them out of business. You won't see Elon insisting we privatize the roads he needs for his cars. He doesn't consider that cars by definition have government subsidies since we aren't making the car/truck companies pay to build and maintain the roads.

This is about car companies making money again. Maybe just one car company.

[Hiawatha Pete]

16. +1000 MadameButterfly

Elon's Deploreans still require massive government subsidies to maintain the roads & highways they run on, while Amtrak operates at a tiny fraction of the cost:

"Road/air subsidies: huge, growing & safe; Amtrak’s are small, shrinking & attacked" :
https://web.archive.org/web/20150518001059/https://www.allaboardohio.org/2012/09/21/road-air-subsidies-huge-growing-safe-amtraks-are-small-shrinking-attacked

[MadameButterfly]

23. Great article

Thanks

[DFW]

12. Train service here in Europe used to be great

In recent years, it has seriously deteriorated, and the worst is right here in Germany. Yesterday evening, I was coming home to Düsseldorf from Paris, normally a four hour trip on the high speed Eurostar. There was something on this week, so the Eurostar ended in Köln after a 3.5 hour trip. The last “half hour” from Köln to Düsseldorf took over two hours and I didn’t get home until after midnight. I think they must be using an American Airlines organizational manual.

[Hiawatha Pete]

18. Thanks for sharing your insight, DFW!

It's sad to hear about rail companies in Europe going that way. Wouldn't be surprised if some were being run by former airline execs.

That said, my intent was to illustrate that passenger rail services around the world are subsidized (just like every other mode of travel) and that America is no exception.

With it's extensive network, I still think I'd rather stick with the train than fly if we go back to visit Europe.

Cheers, Pete

[DFW]

20. I usually choose the train, too.

Even though there is air service from Düsseldorf to Amsterdam, Brussels, Paris and Berlin, I‘m just tired of all the time lost with travel to airports far from city centers, long lines for check-in and security and the wait at baggage claim.

[tritsofme]

17. Given your handle, I believe it! For decades I've heard the boarding announcement for the Hiawatha line

When arriving in the morning at Union Station!

[Hiawatha Pete]

19. Thanks for the reply & for checking out my post, Tritsofme!

My handle is based on the old Olympian Hiawatha/North Coast Hiawatha route.

[elocs]

21. When Amtrak stops in my city they are gone and on their way within 10 minutes. n/t

[SickOfTheOnePct]

22. I take the Auto Train

VA to FL every year, and love it.

[Hiawatha Pete]

24. Way to go & thanks for checking out my post, SickOfTheOnePct!

My wife & I took the Silver Meteor in 2015 and likewise really enjoyed our trip.