Scott Allan's World

Joe Biden unveiled a $1.3 Billion plan to “stimulate/save” Amtrak which he calls a “national treasure”.   Have you ever considered taking Amtrak for a trip?   Sounds like fun until you look into it.  It’s just as slow as driving.   There are no Bullet Trains like France and Japan. I’ve been on the one in France and I must say it was awesome except for the ripe Italian guy who sat next to me.   I tried to price a trip from Birmingham to Boston for this summer.  $135/person for coach.  But who can sit in a seat for $27+ hours?  There goes your back.  Better add in the cost of a chiropractor.   You might as well take the bus.  It’s just as comfortable, just as slow, and cheaper.  Upgrade to “Viewliner Room”?  Add $200.  Upgrade to “Bedroom”?  Add $566.  The problem with these options are that you are only allowed to have 2 people per room.   So in my family of four, we would need 2 rooms.  Both of these room options for one way are more expensive than a flight that is round trip and takes 5-6 hours.   So why are we saving Amtrak again?  Is that for people who are afraid to fly or maybe on the no-fly lists?

If you’re going to invest money in Amtrak, make it incredibly fast and incredibly cheap or just tell them they’re on their own.  In American business only the strong survive.  Let Europe take care of the losers.