Surprise! Critics of Long-Distance Trains are Wrong.

Transportation experts differ on the impact that would have. Some say it would ultimately cause the entire system to shut down; others think the Northeast Corridor (Boston-New York-Washington) could continue to function. But all agree the loss of the federal subsidy would mean the end to Amtrak’s long-distance trains.

Amtrak’s long-distance trains have been a favorite target of many conservative lawmakers for years. What’s so frustrating is that most of the arguments they use are just plain not true.

But a recently-completed report is about to be published by The Midwest High Speed Rail Association and the National Association of Railroad Passengers. It’s informative and fascinating, start to finish and, as a bonus, many of the phony anti-rail arguments are debunked.

For instance, over and over again we are told that the long-distance trains are mostly filled with retired folks leisurely traveling across the country in expensive sleeping car accommodations. Why, the critics ask, should taxpayers have to subsidize such people?

To this very issue, the report includes information gathered from a study of ridership on the Southwest Chief, which operates daily in each direction on the two-night journey between Chicago and Los Angeles.

Here’s what an analysis of the Chief’s ridership revealed:

Only 8% of the passengers ride the entire distance between Chicago and Los Angeles.

Almost two-thirds of the passengers travel between one of the end point cities and an intermediate stop – from Chicago to Kansas City, for example. Or from LA to Flagstaff, Arizona.

Furthermore, some 28% board at one of the intermediate stops and get off at another one, perhaps from Santa Fe to Gallup.

Clearly, and contrary to the rants from uninformed critics, most of the passengers on Amtrak’s Southwest Chief are ordinary folks who need, and are using, an important form of public transportation.

As soon as this report has been officially published, I will let you know where to go for a copy.