It apparently is not enough that the government-run Amtrak passenger railroad never has broken even in nearly four decades of existence. Now, Amtrak officials have visions of a new $117 billion rail line to replace existing lines that connect major cities from Boston to Washington, D.C.
The trains could travel faster than existing trains can, officials said, which would be a convenience to passengers who use Amtrak to travel between big Northeastern cities.
But why not let those travelers pay the tab, instead of imposing it unconstitutionally on all Americans through taxes? The vast majority of Americans do not use Amtrak.
Officials boast that new lines may generate $900 million in revenue per year – yet they don’t as readily point out that it would cost $4 billion per year over three decades!
It’s past time to sell off Amtrak’s few lines that are profitable and to dismantle the rest and get the American taxpayer out of the business of subsidizing train tickets for a few.