Why the future of Amtrak depends on the results of this presidential election
Skift Take
The lunatic fringe's obsession with killing national rail program has again made its way into a national political platform. Why this group isn't equally obsessed with hundreds of billions more the federal government spends on highways is something for their therapists.
The platform Republicans adopted at their convention included a call for full privatization and an end to subsidies for the nation's passenger rail operator, which gobbled up almost $1.5 billion in federal funds last year.
"It is long past time for the federal government to get out of the way and allow private ventures to provide passenger service," the platform said, arguing that taxpayers dole out almost $50 for every Amtrak ticket.
[caption id="" align="alignright" width="350"] Amtrak operated at a net loss of over $450 million last year. Photo by Gene Bowker.[/caption]
Long a political cudgel in the halls of Congress, Amtrak is among a number of transportation functions Republicans say should be turned over to the private sector — including airport security, also on the chopping block in the GOP platform. At its core, the debate juxtaposes differing visions about what role government should play in ensuring public access to services — even if they're losing money hand over fist.
For President Barack Obama, Amtrak symbolizes a communal investment in the American infrastructure that enables and catalyzes economic growt
