The northeast corridor is faster than flying. The trains stop in the downtown of each city which cuts out the travel time to and from the airport, and you don't

The northeast corridor is faster than flying. The trains stop in the downtown of each city which cuts out the travel time to and from the airport, and you don't have to arrive at the train station as early before boarding. The ticket prices are high because Amtrak is subsidizing the non-profitable routes with the North East Corridor. If it was run as a business they would cut all the trains in the middle of the country and re-invest the profit in the NEC, or lower fares. If it was run as a public good, then there would be more of a subsidy. Right now Amtrak in this place where it's restricted by being beholden to politics but not enjoying the benefit of full throated government support.