Joel Hefley: “since 1971 taxpayers have subsidized Amtrak to the tune of $25.3 billion, yet they have not received a reliable or…”

“since 1971 taxpayers have subsidized Amtrak to the tune of $25.3 billion, yet they have not received a reliable or efficient mode of transportation in exchange for 31 years. Amtrak has not made a profit. Almost since its inception Amtrak has hemorrhaged money in all directions, particularly on many of its routes. Of the 40-plus routes of Amtrak, only two are profitable. Its worst performing route, from Los Angeles to Orlando, loses $347 per passenger, meaning it would be cheaper for Amtrak to keep the train on the platform and buy its passengers airline tickets. Last year, Amtrak ended the year with a record operating loss of $1.1 billion and a $5.8 billion backlog in maintenance and repair. Despite receiving Federal funds totaling $5 billion in the last 5 years, Amtrak has made no progress toward achieving self-sufficiency and is in a weaker financial condition than in 1997. It is time to wean Amtrak from the public trough. Amtrak gets my Porker of the Week Award this week and it ought to get the Porker of the Week Award for several decades, as a matter of fact.”