This runaway train is running away with taxpayer dollars!
Amtrak loses an average of $32 for every passenger who boards one of its trains, and 41 of its 44 routes lost money in 2008, according to a scathing watchdog report released yesterday.
Still, the federal government keeps pumping money into the train wreck.
Amtrak received $1.3 billion in taxpayer funds in 2008, and will get $2.7 billion in subsidies and stimulus dollars in 2009, the Pew Charitable Trusts study says.
“Losses range from nearly $5 to $462 per passenger, depending upon the line,” the report said.
The loss-per-rider breakdown is the first of its kind.
“Everybody should be able to see what the subsidy is and make a judgment about whether that money is being well spent or not,” said Marcus Peacock, the study director.
The group’s loss-per-rider figures were four times higher than Amtrak’s, because the new study took into consideration the inevitable decay of trains, buildings and rails and the cost of repairs.
Amtrak riders at Penn Station were shocked by the stats — and said they expected more bang for their buck.
“It’s expensive to ride. Sometimes you question whether you should just jump on a flight for a more reasonable rate and a faster trip,” said Joe Hulbig, 36, who frequently shuttles between New York and Boston.
The popular Northeast Regional trains, which run from Boston to New York to Washington, lose $5 per passenger.