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Amtrak doesn't own most of the track they use. They pay track usage payments to the freight railroads that actually own the track. In FY 2009 that was $115.4
by protomyth 9y ago
Amtrak doesn't own most of the track they use. They pay track usage payments to the freight railroads that actually own the track. In FY 2009 that was $115.4 million (3.3% of total operation cost). Cannot find the current numbers. https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwjD-7i738naAhWD3oMKHa6JADkQFggsMAA&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.oig.dot.gov%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2FAMTRAK%2520Access%2520Fees%2520%2528Final%2520redacted3%2529.pdf&usg=AOvVaw2ogNTkB73VBhoBulz6Q8Mp https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&c...
- jandrese 9y ago$115.4M seems really cheap. You couldn't lay too many miles of track for that, especially if you're buying land rights along the way.
- rbanffy 9y agoDid the interstate highway system have to buy land rights?
- protomyth 9y agoThe government used it in Eminent domain power to acquire the land (which if owned was paid for). The interstate system was built by the government, so it’s a totally different situation as the railroads built and maintain the track Amtrack is using.
- rbanffy 9y agoI guess that then the solution is obvious.
- protomyth 9y agoI'm not sure what is obvious. The government pays rent on something it didn't build. Cargo is vital to so many sectors of the economy, and passenger trains are not.
- closeparen 9y agoIt doesn’t seem like a good use of eminent domain to build a slower and less capable transportation network when airline service is already ubiquitous. “I prefer to spend more for a slower journey because I like trains” is a weak justification for the use of such an invasive power.