KF> LH> Sort of what I thought.  Amtrak is quick on the trigger to eliminate
KF> LH> routes.
KF> Well, our elected officals are demanding they break even.
Profitability had little to do with it.  They thought if they cut here,
there wouldn't be as much protest.  They found out differently.
KF>  They have temporarily suspended their shutdown of their St
KF> LH> Louis to San Antonio route.  The state of Texas loaned Amtrak several
KF> LH> million to keep things running six more months.  I don't understand,
KF> LH> the
KF> LH> Texas routes make money.  During holiday periods they have to add
KF> LH> several cars to keep up with demand.
KF>That's the problem, they have excess demand during holiday periods, rest 

No, they stay booked up most of the time.
KF>Texas probably didn't loan them the money, they are no doubt doing the 
ame
KF>other routes and funding the train themselves.
No, the Texas Legislature loaned them $5 million + collaterallized by a
lien on rolling stock.  The money was to pay operating expenses for six
months while Amtrak pursues new contracts.  If these contracts are so
lucrative, why did they wait until operating with state money to pursue
them?
KF>Doesn't make sense sometimes. My sister was saying that VRE was talking 
abou
KF>cutting fares to get riders back. Asked where they'd gone, they have good
KF>service. Well, it seems they just opened up a new commuter lane on I 95 
into
KF>Washington that took some of the riders away. Dumb. But people seem to 
ook
KF>the expenses in different ways. They view the cost of a monthly commuter 
tic
KF>as "too expensive" but then will pay for gas and parking for their car and
KF>forget
KF>about the insurance, car payment and wear and tear.
You'll never separate the drivers from their cars.  Dallas has built (in
the process) a light rail system.  The completed portion includes a
downtown subway.  The starter extends from the northern suburb (Plano)
all the way through downtown to the southwestern city limits.
My point is, all the critics said the light rail cars would run empty
after the initial new wore off.  The cars have been utilized about 3
times heavier than predicted.  During peak hours and beyond, the cars
are travelling at capacity.  The system will eventually reach 90 miles
of light rail.  There will be commuter rail (heavy rail) from Dallas to
Ft Worth with a stop at DFW Airport.  This will follow the former Rock
Island Railroad tracks between Dallas and Ft Worth.  These tracks are
now owned by the City of Dallas.
Regards,
Lance Hillhouse
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