On Monday, a plan devised by President Bush to restructure Amtrak (the national passenger-train service) was delivered to Congress. Predicated on the idea that Amtrak can compete in a competitive marketplace (despite the fact that the for-profit federally subsidized corporation has never turned a profit), the plan states that over the next six years Amtrak will become three companies, the federal...
Even after ending a five-year span with record revenue growth of nearly 40%, Amtrak lost $1.1 billion during the fiscal year 2001 and could potentially be liquidated at the end of 2002. In the aftermath of September 11th, Amtrak passenger trains have gained customers, most likely from declining US air travel. Even with increased ridership though, Amtrak must face the task posed to it before this...