Abstract Intercity rail passenger train services in the United States are provided over a basic national route system by a Congressionally created quasi-public corporation called Amtrak. Although Amtrak has succeeded in arresting the long-term decline in passenger train ridership, operating deficits have grown substantially in recent years, requiring increased public subsidy. The justification for on-going public support rests on the belief that rail passenger transport contributes to fulfilling national transport policy objectives in the areas of safety, energy conservation, congestion alleviation and environmental protection. This paper examines the Amtrak impact in each of these goal areas and evaluates the organization's longer term potential. The evidence does not indicate that rail passenger train services contribute meaningfully to any of the national policy concerns outside the Northeast Corridor. Continued subsidization of the existing system appears unjustified, and a major route restructuring seems necessary.


    Access

    Check access

    Check availability in my library

    Order at Subito €


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    Amtrak: A cost-effectiveness analysis


    Contributors:

    Published in:

    Publication date :

    1979-03-02


    Size :

    16 pages




    Type of media :

    Article (Journal)


    Type of material :

    Electronic Resource


    Language :

    English




    Amtrak

    Solomon, Brian | SLUB | 2004


    Amtrak Update

    Online Contents | 2002


    Amtrak Update

    Online Contents | 2000


    Amtrak Update

    Online Contents | 2002