3 ms·
That seems rather backwards. Passengers are the more time-sensitive cargo than freight.
by toomanybeersies 10y ago
That seems rather backwards. Passengers are the more time-sensitive cargo than freight.
- dc_gregory 10y agoPresumption would be it's much harder to stop/start a freight train vs. a passenger train.
- detaro 10y agoNot to the freight line companies owning the networks (Apparently there is a law saying that Amtrack has priority, but enforcing it has as of now just lead to years of lawsuits, without useful results)
- sib 10y agoAgreed. Except that it's the freight railways that generally own the trackage in most (all?) places where it's shared with Amtrak. And the freight railways generate significantly more revenue from that trackage (about $75B annually vs $3B).
- ghaff 10y agoThere's also the small detail that it's the freight companies that actually own the tracks in most cases so they make the rules.
- mmoche 10y agoSure, but the freight companies own the track, so they prioritize their own trains.
- Neliquat 10y agoNot if you look at the money tied up in the cargo, vs the fares refunded.