John Mica, P(rick)-FL, demands that Amtrak privatize the Northeast Corridor

[marmar]

(Bloomberg) Amtrak will have to give up some rights to operate trains in the Northeast U.S. to attract private investment in high-speed train service, said John Mica, chairman of the House transportation committee.

Amtrak will “never be able” to build a high-speed rail system, the Florida Republican said in an interview today at Bloomberg’s Washington office.

“Amtrak can move this forward,” Mica said. “But they are going to have to give up some of the operational activity. Nobody is going to come into this unless they get a piece of the pie.”

Mica has proposed a bill to transfer ownership of the 457- mile corridor between Boston and Washington from the national passenger rail service to the Department of Transportation, which would then solicit bids from investors to develop and operate 220 mile-per-hour service. ...............(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-07-14/amtrak-must-swap-n-e-trains-for-investors-mica.html

[LongTomH]

1. This is a joke! 'Private enterprise' isn't interested in spending money for development.

When the high-speed rail lines are built, they'll happy to take them over, run them for a profit and run them into the ground, without spending money to maintain the tracks.

That's what they've done to power grids all over the country, and the result has already been some major blackouts.

[elleng]

2. His jerkitude is still showing!

'Privates' don't want to run land/rail-based transportation services for the public because they can't make money, highly labor and hardware-intensive, too expensive!!!

[TheDebbieDee]

3. Why can't republicans just look to Europe to see what "privatization"

of services yields.

I read about one European country whose government had to let their contract with a private company to provide rail service lapse because the company cut services and raised fares. It was determined that the government could provide more service cheaper than the contractor......

$hit, look at the "clean-up" of New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. FAIL!

Over the long haul, privitization is a big ole "FAIL".

I'll see if I can find a link.

[elleng]

4. They can't 'cause that would be SMART!

Might that country have been Britain? Dunno.

[TheDebbieDee]

8. Sorry, couldn't find a link. I've read that article in the last 6 months.

And I know it was a European country, I just can't remember which one.

[onethatcares]

5. without even reading the article I

would imagine CSX would be the winner in this. Of course any accidents due to negligence, or due to their tracks being outdated would become a liablility of the citizens fo the U.S. of A.

[KamaAina]

6. Because his Florida constituents are so directly impacted by the Northeast Corridor

well, CSX is, anyway. :eyes:

[Shagbark Hickory]

7. Well there actually is a valid point to be made RE privatiation of HSR...

As much as I think the govt should totally develop and run HSR by itself, the airlines are never going to let that happen. They'll bribe politicians and do whatever they have to to stop it.

So if you ever want to see HSR, realistically, it's not going to be because of the govt.
It's going to be because a private company said, we can compete with the airlines and take away a lot of their passengers and make loads of money in the process. And we have enough money to fight back their lobbying.

[elleng]

9. and any private company that says or tries to do that will be WRONG,

foolish. HSRail will not get off the ground OR compete w airlines, in the U.S.

[Shagbark Hickory]

13. I'm curious as to why you think that.

The airlines are barely hanging on as it is. Just as they were starting to get their shit in gear, the fuel prices shot through the roof again. Airfares are very high. Public opinion of airlines, airline safety and air travel in general is at an all time low.

People are dying for an alternative to air travel. Even though it would take longer to the farthest destinations, HSR can be a lot easier to use and cheaper than airfares. And it could very well be just as fast or even faster to many destinations, especially regional travel like this OP is about.

[elleng]

15. because it would be much too expensive to establish/build/run,

won't compete w airlines financially, NOT cheaper. No coincidence that 'successful' hsr thru world are govt subsidized.

Since 'deregulation,' airlines have been up and down, financially. Large scale transportation is expensive to run.

[Shagbark Hickory]

20. Are you saying it won't ever turn a profit?

[elleng]

21. Highly unlikely ever to turn a profit, imo.

[Shagbark Hickory]

28. Well it doesn't need to...

As long as the executives can pay themselves millions of dollars each year and get subsidies, grants and other incentives, they can get it going. I don't see the government or Amtrak ever doing it.

[jmowreader]

10. It looks like Amtrak ALREADY built a high-speed rail system

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acela_Express

"The Acela Express carried 3.2 million passengers in FY2010...the Acela Express is one of the few Amtrak lines to operate at a profit...(the Acela Express and the Northeast Regional, with 7.2 million riders in FY2010) generate more than half of Amtrak's total revenue. In 2010, the Acela Express had a total revenue of $440,119,224, up from $409, 251,483 in 2009."

What is probably holding the development of 220mph rail in the US back is we simply don't have trackage that can deal with a train going that fast. Maybe some Rearden Metal tracks would solve the problem, eh John?

On edit: I did a round-trip between NYC and Boston. Parameters: one week stay and no checked baggage.

If you book a month in advance--well, actually I left on Wednesday; :
All Acela travel: $214. Acela up and Northeast Regional back $148. Northeast Regional both ways $98
airlines $119 (JetBlue) to $405 (US Airways); American Airlines charges $213. All airfare is including taxes and fees.
Realistically there's no difference between Amtrak and the airlines, except you don't have to take off your shoes to get on the train.

If you leave tomorrow:
All Acela travel: $198 to $247 depending on departure times. Acela up, Northeast Regional back $167 to $260. Northeast Regional both ways: $136 to $226.
Airlines: $259 (JetBlue nonstop) to $496 (United and Continental nonstop) or $1255 (Continental one stop--for some strange reason the United one-stop is only $638. The reason that's strange is United and Continental are two branches of the same company.)
And here there IS a difference, but the evil government that can't do anything right is actually less expensive. BTW be careful of the airlines: at least JetBlue and American will fly you out of Newark but into JFK, which kinda sucks if you drive your own car to the airport.

[elleng]

16. Wouldn't exactly say Amtrak 'built' hi-speed rail system,

'system' already existed. Amtrak bought neat trains. And its too expensive for many of us to use.

Nation-wide, passengers share track w freights, have to accomodate eachother. Not financially or physically possible to build 'new' transcon lines.

[jmowreader]

18. The track sharing is an issue, true...

As for cost, the Acela line is priced more in line with air.

If you REALLY want to get cheap, try Greyhound, the trucking companies' friend:

Greyhound NYC-Boston round trip:
Leave TONIGHT, come back tomorrow:
$62.10 web booking, $69 walk-up

Leave tomorrow, stay one week:
$67.50 web booking, $75 walk-up

Leave in one month, stay one week:
$54 advance purchase

Compare that to $98 for the cheapest Amtrak ticket between the two and there's no contest--bus wins, hands down. Bus travel blows goats but it's REAL cheap--you can get on a bus cheaper right now than you can wait a month to ride a train or a plane. (For outrageousness, fly from NYC to Boston today and come back tomorrow--$299 to $753.)

Another Repuke slap in the face: They claim Americans have "freedom to travel." Partially true: Americans who have money have freedom to travel. For a lot of us, we have just as much freedom to travel as the Soviets or the East Germans because if you have no money you can do no travel.

[elleng]

19. Right, my friend takes bus btw DC and NY, but not Greyhound.

There are several 'cheap' carriers. One example, https://www.boltbus.com/

And the buses are nice, pleasant, doesn't 'blow goats.' $25.00

[jmowreader]

26. Greyhound, OTOH, does blow goats

[elleng]

27. I'll give you that; Dad used to represent Trailways (among other bus cos!)

[barbtries]

11. i'll say it again

i hate republicans. they have absolutely no interest in the common good. just none.

[flpab]

12. Boo Mica, he needs a new wig and...

some brains underneath it. Why no one will run against him upsets me so much.

[glinda]

14. Greedy ass. This should not be allowed. That is an important area and the Repubs will

can Amtrak after they suck all the money from people. This truly truly sucks.

[Stinky The Clown]

17. This is what a prick with a wig looks like.

Propriety prevents me from showing an unwigged prick.

[Dappleganger]

22. CSX is used to having their way with Mica, Jeb, etc.

Follow the money. Same shit happened down here with SunRail.

[brentspeak]

23. Follow the money trail funneling campaign funds to Mica

That would help shed light on Mica's position.

[brooklynite]

24. I agree with Mica...

Amtrak is too constrained by its financial limits and Congressional oversight to efficiently implement a national high-speed network. Unfortunately, Mica's vaunted "private sector" WON'T do it.

[lib2DaBone]

25. Let's privatize the most profitable corridor in the U.S.

..then.. they can sell it to a foreign corporation.

There will be nothing left in this country after the slimy Repukes sell off every highway, every toll road and every toll bridge. (our factories and technology are already in China)

Without AMTRAK.. the United States will be the ONLY industrialized country in the world without passenger rail serve.

USA..Numer 1.. USA-USA... oh never mind.

[elleng]

29. China’s Prize High-Speed Rail Line Plagued by Glitches.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x1494343