Some interesting information, but also misleading. For example, Brightline's Florida service has not made a profit because the ridership numbers are lower than projected. Amtrak actually operates the most successful passenger line in the NEC. No mention of either CAHSR or the NEC. Brightline hasn't spurred anything. Actually, it's Amtrak with its recent infusion of funding that will spur more interest in passenger rail service. And, CAHSR will spur interest in true HSR in the USA.
Lower ridership projections doesn’t mean Brightline isn’t making a profit, it means they’re making a lower than *projected* profit. Brightline is also making a great profit, but not solely off of their ticket revenue or rail service. They also rely on services at their stations, sponsors and partners (found on wrapped trains), and other assets owned by Fortress Investment Group. Being backed by other assets allows Brightline to continue expansion despite poor profits as a rail service alone. This is where Amtrak fails to profit from other sources aside from government funding, because they don’t think about owning office space, apartments, etc. surrounding their stations or other sources of money that could help Amtrak raise funds.
I think that train service can be feasible only if more people are willing to take it. I don't think it will be 100% profitable, and a portion of the costs need to be absorbed by taxpayers. Also, we can't compare train ridership in America with other countries because the culture and energy resources are different.
Why should taxpayers subsidize private business that's not making money? The only way that makes sense and is fair is if taxpayers get an equitable share of the business with a stipulation that if it goes bankrupt, the state gets the rest of the company for an agreed fair amount.
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I wouldn't be stealing News from local Orlando Stations like this. They will shut you down
Some interesting information, but also misleading. For example, Brightline's Florida service has not made a profit because the ridership numbers are lower than projected.
Amtrak actually operates the most successful passenger line in the NEC.
No mention of either CAHSR or the NEC.
Brightline hasn't spurred anything. Actually, it's Amtrak with its recent infusion of funding that will spur more interest in passenger rail service.
And, CAHSR will spur interest in true HSR in the USA.
Lower ridership projections doesn’t mean Brightline isn’t making a profit, it means they’re making a lower than *projected* profit. Brightline is also making a great profit, but not solely off of their ticket revenue or rail service. They also rely on services at their stations, sponsors and partners (found on wrapped trains), and other assets owned by Fortress Investment Group. Being backed by other assets allows Brightline to continue expansion despite poor profits as a rail service alone. This is where Amtrak fails to profit from other sources aside from government funding, because they don’t think about owning office space, apartments, etc. surrounding their stations or other sources of money that could help Amtrak raise funds.
Armtrack is so junky
I think that train service can be feasible only if more people are willing to take it. I don't think it will be 100% profitable, and a portion of the costs need to be absorbed by taxpayers. Also, we can't compare train ridership in America with other countries because the culture and energy resources are different.
Why should taxpayers subsidize private business that's not making money? The only way that makes sense and is fair is if taxpayers get an equitable share of the business with a stipulation that if it goes bankrupt, the state gets the rest of the company for an agreed fair amount.