Congressman wants to put Amtrak service up for bids

WASHINGTON — Congress would take away Amtrak's popular Northeast corridor train service and invite private investors to bid for the right to develop high-speed rail under a plan outlined by a key House Republican Thursday.

The densely populated corridor — which extends from Washington to Boston, including service to New York and Philadelphia — is the most viable region in the country for truly high-speed trains averaging speeds better than 110 mph, said House Transportation and Infrastructure Chairman John Mica, R-Fla.

But Amtrak has failed to provide fast service despite tens of billions of dollars in federal aid, he said while outlining his plan at a hearing.

Amtrak's Acela trains reach speeds over 150 mph in some portions of the corridor. But Mica said trip times average only 83 mph between Washington and New York and 72 mph between New York and Boston. His calculations include wait times at station stops along the route, which lowers the average speed.

Story here.

Dems argue ticket prices could go up. So what? Amtrak is a private corp, but it depends upon federal subsidies - they are in debt for $4 billion already.

Meh. I dont use Amtrak.

Meh. I dont use Amtrak.

DroidPhysX

You live around the NE corridor? That's all they are looking at.

Dems argue ticket prices could go up. So what? Amtrak is a private corp, but it depends upon federal subsidies - they are in debt for $4 billion already.

topsemag55

Amtrak is not a private corporation, it is entirely owned by the US government.

[QUOTE="topsemag55"]

Dems argue ticket prices could go up. So what? Amtrak is a private corp, but it depends upon federal subsidies - they are in debt for $4 billion already.

Engrish_Major

Dems argue ticket prices could go up. So what? Amtrak is a private corp, but it depends upon federal subsidies - they are in debt for $4 billion already.

topsemag55

Rode amtrak once. Wasn't bad, but the fact that it is so slow.. I'd rather drive unless I was looking for a relaxing trip and had spare time.darkfox101

The biggest reason why Amtrak is so slow is because it doesn't own much track of its own. It has to lease usage rights from private railroads, which means it has to share the track with those railroads, and the private railroads have the right-of-way. Which means that whenever an Amtrak train and, say, a BNSF train need to use the same space the Amtrak has to pull over and let the BNSF pass, unless the crew on the BNSF train are kind enough to let the Amtrak pass instead.

Amtrak is not a private corporation, it is entirely owned by the US government.

worlock77

So the Associated Press is 100% wrong?:P

Railroad owners are holding common stock.

You should read the "History" section here. It was horrible what the ICC did to railroads.

[QUOTE="worlock77"]

Amtrak is not a private corporation, it is entirely owned by the US government.

topsemag55

So the Associated Press is 100% wrong?:P

Railroad owners are holding common stock.

You should read the "History" section here. It was horrible what the ICC did to railroads.

[QUOTE="worlock77"]

Amtrak is not a private corporation, it is entirely owned by the US government.

topsemag55

So the Associated Press is 100% wrong?:P

Railroad owners are holding common stock.

You should read the "History" section here. It was horrible what the ICC did to railroads.

Yes, you're correct. Common stock that holds no value and confers no benefit. That still does not equal Amtrak being a private corporation.