Number: RL32709
Title: Amtrak: The Political and Social Aspects of Federal Intercity Passenger Rail Policy
Authors: John Frittelli and Robert S. Kirk, Resources, Science, and Industry Division 
Abstract: Throughout its history, the National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak), which was once envisioned as a for-profit corporation, has failed to achieve a profit and has needed to rely on annual federal subsidies for its survival. Despite this, there has been enough support in Congress, and at times also in the White House, to provide just enough subsidies to keep Amtraks trains running. There has not, however, been enough federal and state financial support for Amtrak, as a money losing (some would add, at least at times, mismanaged) operation, to develop its routes into the robust national network that intercity passenger rail advocates had hoped for. That Amtrak has teetered on the edge of a shutdown many times only to be saved by federal subsidies, raises the questions of why and to whom a national intercity rail network matters.
Pages: 34
Date: December 23, 2004