This comment has received too many negative votesshow
Thomas Jefferson would approve? Are you serious?
Why are my tax dollars going toward helping you ride a train? Why do I have a responsibility to help you get to your job? Jefferson is rolling in his grave.
I don't even know where to start addressing the ridiculous charges in this video. It's one self-serving half-truth after another.
We all have to make choices in life; stop looking to others to bear the costs of yours.
This comment has received too many negative votesshow
I love the nostalgia of riding the train occasionally but find the trains dirty and old and the service, just plain shitty! Typical American welfare institution.
Why do people continue to argue about this??!!. Amtrak was formed because of the loss of ridership due to the rising empire of the airlines that has fallen. We have to face the fact that we need rail service. We are a country that needs to see a change like Europe where rail is a vital role. Does anyone see this???!!!!. The U.S. Government demands that Amtrak makes money, but they have been so good at waisting it.
very good points!! i work for Amtrak and its amazing the "enron style" accounting and calculating is STILL the same!! i know our workforce isnt the best, but i think you can clearly see management is the real problem.
I am stationed in Germany. Yesterday, I spent 30 Euro [$40 give or take] on a ticket that would have allowed me and 4 others to travel on any local or regional services [anything without InterCity/InterCity Express equipment/amenities] on all of Deutsche Bahn all weekend. One of the legs of my trip, Frankfurt to Wiesbaden, was literally standing room only. Deutsche Bahn does a simply incredible job, with frequent, punctual, fast, and reliable service. Amtrak should be modeled upon this company.
Amtrak is defined by Congress as being for "inter-city" rail transportation, defined as trips of 90 miles or more. Philadelphia and NYC are 91 track miles apart, and for 30 years Amtrak continued offering "inter-city" commuting fares at reasonable, historical, marginal-cost-covering rates until 2005. Commuter rates have gone up 90% in two years, and commuters now pay more than the inflation-adjusted Amtrak full fare was in the railroad's early years. Amtrak costs $5/year per U.S. citizen.
youre right on so many levels. Amtrak is intended for the use of non commuter passengers and so called "commuter fares" rob amtrak of money it needs to use on the rest of the system. Amtrak is far bigger than just the northeast corridor!
i see what your saying...here on the Capitol Corridor, it costs us about 25 bucks to go from Sacramento to Oakland, but i took a trip to ny, and it is double or even triple that from pilly to ny...but i do agree with alphlife, dont forget about us on the west coast
I'm all for keeping the West Coast healthy, too. Since originally getting involved in rail advocacy over the specific East Coast issue covered in the video, I've been convinced by the homework I've done that inter-city rail needs better federal attention and care than it's getting, and deserves way better support, both economically and in political attitudes, than it's gotten for many years now.
I was laughing at this video. It was good, and I totally agree Amtrak just has been a political beaucracy, and I'm tired of all the nonsense in arguing about corridors, long distance and the like. The entire nation should be covered with passenger rail- long and short distance. Getting rid of long distance will actually not save much at all. Contrary to popular belief its them that brings in the most revenue per passenger mile. But again....nice video, hope you get on the Amtrak Board!
I appreciate your comment. I'm actually quite pro-Amtrak and pro-rail in general, but I and about 2,000 other Amtrak-based job commuters were badly harpooned by the bad rail politics guiding Amtrak in Washington. Raising fares on job commuters by $20 a day on 11 days' notice was an unconscionable, anti-social act, and my research has shown that it was most likely just a politically motivated "hit" to prepare Amtrak for an administration death blow and privatization of the NEC.
The Republicans hate to spend one dime on passenger trains, that's an extra dime that could be spent on the trillion dollar war. Too bad we can't ride wars to work...scumbags.
Wah Wah, you North East Corridor folks have it great. Anyone who really knows Amtrak knows that most of the funding already goes to the NEC, where the politicians all are. If half of the funding wasted on the NEC was spread out evenly system wide we all would benefit. So think about the rest of us before you go on NEC only crusades.
Wah Wah, you North East Corridor folks have it great.
Anyone who really knows Amtrak knows that most of the funding already goes to the NEC, where the politicians all are. If half of the funding wasted on the NEC was spread out evenly system wide we all would benefit. So think about the rest of us before you go on NEC only crusades.
Hmmm... tickets for the 182-mile round trip from Philadelphia to NYC on my normal commuting trains, 170 and 193, cost $139 (76.4 cents/mile). But for $1 more (i.e. $140), I can ride the Southwest Chief for 2 full days and 2256 miles from Chicago to Los Angeles (6.2 cents/mile). Your turn, Chief. ;-) What numbers have you got?
(My numbers came from March 1 advance purchase Amtrak full fares listed on 2/11/07.)
Similar numbers, but what we don't have is the security of continued operation the NEC has. Add to that the decline in dining car service, reduced rebuilds, and overall uncertainty...its just as bleak as rate increases. Sure its unfortunate but I'd rather pay then lose the train altogether. I have nothing against your complaints, but please think of Amtrak as system wide and not just in the NEC. Because ridership continues to grow in the west.
By the way, the $140 is strictly for coach and no meals included! Plus you say 2 days, that's if your train is on time, meaning that you will have to buy more food! Don't get me wrong, I understand your complaint and everything, but I totally agree with SouthwestChief; you can't call for improvements in one part of the whole Amtrak system. It costs $18 to go from Irvine to Fullerton (CA) on the Pacific Surfliner! A distance of about 20 miles. Seem fair to you!
Great video. I live in Toronto and I really think there should be a high speed train network covering all of North America. I remember the US Department of Transportation had a web site for something called the High Speed Ground Transportation Act which essentially would have used the Bombardier Jet Train (propelled by a gas turbine engine) to provide high speed train service without having to install an overhead catenary(and yes I know about United Aircraft's Turbo Train).
Or perhaps we could poison all the people on welfare. After all, they cost the government money too. Then we can use the money saved to build another bridge to nowhere.
Long distance routes are vital, and need to be expanded, not eliminated.
Forget welfare and 'the bridge to nowhere'... Let's talk Amtrak. Why do we need more long distance routes? I think Amtrak should can everything except the Northeast and California Cooridors.
Note that I said expanded, not that new routes are necessary. In their current state, they are flawed. Freight lines don't give them priority (as they are legally obligated to) Track maintenance is needed. A look at your videos makes me think you are in the industry, so I would hope you know this.
Due to a character limit this post has been split.
There are plenty of reasons to keep LD trains alive. They can serve areas very far from an airport. They are much more energy efficient (electric ones especially, but diesel is still more efficient per passenger mile than driving or flying). You can see what the real America looks like from the ground. There is little stress involved in taking a train, as opposed to flying.
You've clearly never been on Cascades, Illinois, or Missouri services. They're all loaded with people.
You've forgotten that there are about 10 states that support Amtrak with money to keep trains running, the federal system has nothing to do with these areas. NEC and California corridors are not the only two areas.
I'm glad to see someone is finally talking about Amtrak on here.. We're the only 1st world country that doesn't have an affordable, competitive, and effecient passenger railroad system.. I love riding Amtrak but it needs to be fixed, clearly.
Great video! I think Amtrak should be privatized! Contact Anderson Cooper and get his help, afterall, he is an offspring from the Vanderbilt Railroad fortune...
AMTRAK ROCKS!!!
acela2168 8 months ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
Thomas Jefferson would approve? Are you serious?
Why are my tax dollars going toward helping you ride a train? Why do I have a responsibility to help you get to your job? Jefferson is rolling in his grave.
I don't even know where to start addressing the ridiculous charges in this video. It's one self-serving half-truth after another.
We all have to make choices in life; stop looking to others to bear the costs of yours.
volkris 4 years ago
Amtrak is wonderful. America ought to pay for passenger rail service all across the USA. Amtrak - it's the right thing to do.
EdLawsonTV 3 years ago
We know the current president hates AMTRAK. We know the current board are nothing more than hacks.
But let's face the big problem is the management that entrenched in the entire system. It's an "incestuous" self serving entity.
buffymax1 4 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
I love the nostalgia of riding the train occasionally but find the trains dirty and old and the service, just plain shitty! Typical American welfare institution.
vinniebaby1 4 years ago
Why do people continue to argue about this??!!. Amtrak was formed because of the loss of ridership due to the rising empire of the airlines that has fallen. We have to face the fact that we need rail service. We are a country that needs to see a change like Europe where rail is a vital role. Does anyone see this???!!!!. The U.S. Government demands that Amtrak makes money, but they have been so good at waisting it.
NEBY25 4 years ago 3
very good points!! i work for Amtrak and its amazing the "enron style" accounting and calculating is STILL the same!! i know our workforce isnt the best, but i think you can clearly see management is the real problem.
ilikemoneya 4 years ago
I am stationed in Germany. Yesterday, I spent 30 Euro [$40 give or take] on a ticket that would have allowed me and 4 others to travel on any local or regional services [anything without InterCity/InterCity Express equipment/amenities] on all of Deutsche Bahn all weekend. One of the legs of my trip, Frankfurt to Wiesbaden, was literally standing room only. Deutsche Bahn does a simply incredible job, with frequent, punctual, fast, and reliable service. Amtrak should be modeled upon this company.
Germany1111 4 years ago 2
"commuter fares" rob amtrak of money it needs to spend on the rest of the system. Amtrak is bigger than just the northeast corridor.
railmogul2 4 years ago
lol. loved it.
attlevi 4 years ago
LOL
murph734 4 years ago
Michael Moore should do a movie titled 'All Aboard' about Amtrak. So beware of a fat man with a Spartan hat on an Amtrak train.
NDPortsmouth 4 years ago
Hate to tell you but Amtrack was not originally for
commuters! My taxes along with practicly the rest of
the country pay for commuters like you in the east and now in the west. Plus, the scam of double dipping;
Amtrack funds + federal mass urban transit funds!
M1CHAZZ 4 years ago
Amtrak is defined by Congress as being for "inter-city" rail transportation, defined as trips of 90 miles or more. Philadelphia and NYC are 91 track miles apart, and for 30 years Amtrak continued offering "inter-city" commuting fares at reasonable, historical, marginal-cost-covering rates until 2005. Commuter rates have gone up 90% in two years, and commuters now pay more than the inflation-adjusted Amtrak full fare was in the railroad's early years. Amtrak costs $5/year per U.S. citizen.
dc3rdrail 4 years ago
youre right on so many levels. Amtrak is intended for the use of non commuter passengers and so called "commuter fares" rob amtrak of money it needs to use on the rest of the system. Amtrak is far bigger than just the northeast corridor!
railmogul2 4 years ago
Amtrak is not that bad, but their Manangement treats the Call Center Agents worse than animals!!!
tktseller 4 years ago
i see what your saying...here on the Capitol Corridor, it costs us about 25 bucks to go from Sacramento to Oakland, but i took a trip to ny, and it is double or even triple that from pilly to ny...but i do agree with alphlife, dont forget about us on the west coast
saveamtrak 4 years ago
If you actually get things changed, don't forget about us west-coasters.
alphlife 4 years ago
I'm all for keeping the West Coast healthy, too. Since originally getting involved in rail advocacy over the specific East Coast issue covered in the video, I've been convinced by the homework I've done that inter-city rail needs better federal attention and care than it's getting, and deserves way better support, both economically and in political attitudes, than it's gotten for many years now.
dc3rdrail 4 years ago
I was laughing at this video. It was good, and I totally agree Amtrak just has been a political beaucracy, and I'm tired of all the nonsense in arguing about corridors, long distance and the like. The entire nation should be covered with passenger rail- long and short distance. Getting rid of long distance will actually not save much at all. Contrary to popular belief its them that brings in the most revenue per passenger mile. But again....nice video, hope you get on the Amtrak Board!
saxmanb777 4 years ago
hmmm...strong opinion...watever you do, do it for amtrak...thanx for the video, good research
saveamtrak 4 years ago
I appreciate your comment. I'm actually quite pro-Amtrak and pro-rail in general, but I and about 2,000 other Amtrak-based job commuters were badly harpooned by the bad rail politics guiding Amtrak in Washington. Raising fares on job commuters by $20 a day on 11 days' notice was an unconscionable, anti-social act, and my research has shown that it was most likely just a politically motivated "hit" to prepare Amtrak for an administration death blow and privatization of the NEC.
dc3rdrail 4 years ago
Amtrak needs to do whatever it can to make the freight roads keep their end of the deal with trackage rights, even if that means dreaded fare hikes.
iPodiToons 5 years ago
The Republicans hate to spend one dime on passenger trains, that's an extra dime that could be spent on the trillion dollar war. Too bad we can't ride wars to work...scumbags.
b111791 5 years ago
haha soo true
saveamtrak 4 years ago
hahah, i couldnt have said it any better
saveamtrak 4 years ago
Silly video! And silly background music!
trainmanwp 5 years ago
Wah Wah, you North East Corridor folks have it great. Anyone who really knows Amtrak knows that most of the funding already goes to the NEC, where the politicians all are. If half of the funding wasted on the NEC was spread out evenly system wide we all would benefit. So think about the rest of us before you go on NEC only crusades.
SouthwestChief 5 years ago
Wah Wah, you North East Corridor folks have it great.
Anyone who really knows Amtrak knows that most of the funding already goes to the NEC, where the politicians all are. If half of the funding wasted on the NEC was spread out evenly system wide we all would benefit. So think about the rest of us before you go on NEC only crusades.
SouthwestChief 5 years ago
Hmmm... tickets for the 182-mile round trip from Philadelphia to NYC on my normal commuting trains, 170 and 193, cost $139 (76.4 cents/mile). But for $1 more (i.e. $140), I can ride the Southwest Chief for 2 full days and 2256 miles from Chicago to Los Angeles (6.2 cents/mile). Your turn, Chief. ;-) What numbers have you got?
(My numbers came from March 1 advance purchase Amtrak full fares listed on 2/11/07.)
dc3rdrail 5 years ago
Similar numbers, but what we don't have is the security of continued operation the NEC has. Add to that the decline in dining car service, reduced rebuilds, and overall uncertainty...its just as bleak as rate increases. Sure its unfortunate but I'd rather pay then lose the train altogether. I have nothing against your complaints, but please think of Amtrak as system wide and not just in the NEC. Because ridership continues to grow in the west.
SouthwestChief 5 years ago
By the way, the $140 is strictly for coach and no meals included! Plus you say 2 days, that's if your train is on time, meaning that you will have to buy more food! Don't get me wrong, I understand your complaint and everything, but I totally agree with SouthwestChief; you can't call for improvements in one part of the whole Amtrak system. It costs $18 to go from Irvine to Fullerton (CA) on the Pacific Surfliner! A distance of about 20 miles. Seem fair to you!
pwhite73 4 years ago
The Southwest Chief sir?...please!
b111791 5 years ago
To the poster of this video, sorry about your fair woes. Good luck with everything.
0xym0r0n 5 years ago
Great video. I live in Toronto and I really think there should be a high speed train network covering all of North America. I remember the US Department of Transportation had a web site for something called the High Speed Ground Transportation Act which essentially would have used the Bombardier Jet Train (propelled by a gas turbine engine) to provide high speed train service without having to install an overhead catenary(and yes I know about United Aircraft's Turbo Train).
DredWolf1 5 years ago
Don't forget ELIMINATE Amtrak long distance runs, such as the Cal Zeph...
kirklager 5 years ago
Or perhaps we could poison all the people on welfare. After all, they cost the government money too. Then we can use the money saved to build another bridge to nowhere.
Long distance routes are vital, and need to be expanded, not eliminated.
0xym0r0n 5 years ago
Forget welfare and 'the bridge to nowhere'... Let's talk Amtrak. Why do we need more long distance routes? I think Amtrak should can everything except the Northeast and California Cooridors.
tskilbride 5 years ago
Note that I said expanded, not that new routes are necessary. In their current state, they are flawed. Freight lines don't give them priority (as they are legally obligated to) Track maintenance is needed. A look at your videos makes me think you are in the industry, so I would hope you know this.
Due to a character limit this post has been split.
0xym0r0n 5 years ago
There are plenty of reasons to keep LD trains alive. They can serve areas very far from an airport. They are much more energy efficient (electric ones especially, but diesel is still more efficient per passenger mile than driving or flying). You can see what the real America looks like from the ground. There is little stress involved in taking a train, as opposed to flying.
0xym0r0n 5 years ago
You've clearly never been on Cascades, Illinois, or Missouri services. They're all loaded with people.
You've forgotten that there are about 10 states that support Amtrak with money to keep trains running, the federal system has nothing to do with these areas. NEC and California corridors are not the only two areas.
alphlife 4 years ago
I'm glad to see someone is finally talking about Amtrak on here.. We're the only 1st world country that doesn't have an affordable, competitive, and effecient passenger railroad system.. I love riding Amtrak but it needs to be fixed, clearly.
bassman26 5 years ago
But... rail transportation is and always has been subsidized by the federal gov.
Or are you saying it still can be, but it shouldn't be owned by the feds?
alphlife 5 years ago
Great video! I think Amtrak should be privatized! Contact Anderson Cooper and get his help, afterall, he is an offspring from the Vanderbilt Railroad fortune...
kksd2 5 years ago