Loss of Amtrack funding means Airline lobbyists have won...

[itzamirakul]

Since 911, fewer people fly than before - at least I am one of them.

A trip from NYC to Cleveland or Florida by train is comfortable, relaxing and satsfying if one is not in a hurry AND it is cheaper.

Since the airlines took such a hit, they have undoubtedly sent their lobbyists to get railroad funding cut so that the rail companies have to raise prices or make cuts that make such a form a travel less desireable. In the meantime, the airlines charge exhorbitant fees and offer worse and worse service.

I enjoy traveling by rail and I will be sorry to see that form of travel become even more limited than it is today.

What are your thoughts on the matter of alternative travel in the US?

[physioex]

1. This country is far behind in mass transportation....

Wouldn't it be great to have the major cities linked by some sort of high speed rail. It would have so many benefits in terms of jobs, pollution, and reducing traffic congestion. I am not suggesting that we get rid of the highway system we have now, but wouldn't it be nice to have an alternative.

[AllegroRondo]

2. All travel is publicly subsidized in some way

airlines through tax breaks and bailouts, highways through taxes for building and repair. Why should we not support rail travel through subsidy? Its cleaner and more efficient than highway travel.

[papau]

6. 30 billion gift in last 3 years to airlines plus continuing Airport Cost

and air controller gifts - and they bark at Amtraks' subsidy - when it is the Amtrack subsidy that is keeping the roadway gift for road repair down

No one every talks about the 4 times road tax paid cost of Trucking - the faster destruction of roads because of truck weight - all we every see are stickers on the backs of trucks telling us how much road tax they paid -

What a con.

and now Amtrack is to die - guess a public corporation can not bribe the GOP with campaign contributions in the same way - and at the same level - as "private" airline companies that "must" remain afloat to support the airline building industry so that Pentagon airplane purchase are cheaper per plane - so the boys at the Pentagon can have their toys.

[dolstein]

3. It's a shame the U.S. doesn't have a world class rail system

In fact, we're so far behind where we were 30-40 years ago, it isn't even funny.

When I travel to Boston or New York, I take Amtrak rather than flying. Flying is simply too much of a hassle.

While it's true that Amtrak, on the whole, isn't profitable (although some of the more popular lines at least break even), need I point out that most of the major airlines are teetering on the brink of bankruptcy, and that both airlines and highway transportation are heavily subsidized as well?

I'm planning on travelling cross country by rail next year, assuming the long distance routes are still in operation by then . . .

[Withywindle]

4. I love Amtrak!

It really is the absolute best way to get nearest to my parents' house (I'm one of those non-car-owning urbanites; they are way out in the sticks in SW Virginia; they meet me at a tiny town just over the state line in WV; it's way closer to them than any airport). I enjoy it a lot; it's very relaxing and gives me a lot of time to read and write and the scenery is spectacular. I take it to NYC sometimes too.

Right on that the airline system gets worse and worse. The service is horrible! Choosing to fly out of O'Hare or Midway is like the old burned-alive/frozen-to-death choice.

There is not a single rail system in the world that makes up its operating costs on fares alone. Most governments in civilized countries fund them cheerfully, because, hello, it's useful!

[theboss]

5. I think rail is best for trips of four hours or less

I take the train from New York to DC and it is tolerable, though barely cheaper than flying at this point. I've taken rail from Pittsburgh to New York and wanted to kill myself by the end of it.

I think there needs to be an emphasis on clusters of rail to cut down on the need for plane travel in the Northeast and maybe the West Coast. I'm not sure that Rail from Boston to Miami or New York to Chicago is necessarily the answer these days.