Why doesn t Amtrak run more trains?

There are many reasons for this. There is limited service between cities (Amtrak says it runs 300 trains with about 87,000 passengers per day), freight is often prioritized over passenger service in the U.S., and trains and facilities are often outdated.



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WASHINGTON – Amtrak is contracting with California-based Siemens Mobility Inc.to manufacture a new fleet of up to 83 multi-powered modern trains that will be leveraged for state and northeast services, with further options for up to 130 additional trains to support Amtrak growth plans.

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The new Acela will operate at top speeds of 160 mph vs. today's fleet, which operates at top speeds of 150 mph. Amtrak's new Acela fleet is scheduled to enter service on the NEC in 2024.

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The simple answer: your Amtrak trip won't be affected by the government shutdown. As we've seen during previous government shutdowns, Amtrak has enough cash on hand to keep the trains running and workers paid in the near term.

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In fiscal year 2022, Amtrak served 22.9 million passengers. That figure was down ten million from 2019 when 33 million people rode Amtrak, a 30% decline.

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Amtrak tickets tend to be higher than air fares if you book a roomette or bedroom as the price includes meals and private accommodations. However, Amtrak coach seats are often cheaper than coach seats on a plane, especially if you purchase tickets in advance.

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In the coming years, Amtrak will invest over $50 billion into modern trains, enhanced stations and facilities, new tunnels and bridges, and other critical infrastructure upgrades. These generational investments mean we're no longer only a passenger rail operator.

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In addition, the tracks, signals, rail cars and software made in the U.S. are costlier than imports, largely because the government has not funded rail the way European and Asian countries have, experts say.

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Amtrak does, in fact, offer scenic, luxury rail journeys to top locations across the U.S., especially if you are looking for some vacation deals.

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Total Operating Revenue1: $2.8 billion, increased 47.8% over FY21, and only 15% below Amtrak's FY19 pre-pandemic revenue levels. Adjusted Operating Earnings2: ($884.9 million), an 18.2% improvement over FY21, and $145 million ahead of Amtrak's FY22 plan due to strong ticket-revenue growth.

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Trains consume less energy and produce less harmful pollutants than either car or air travel. Hopping on an Amtrak train will save you gas and daily wear and tear on your car. It also reduces the ever-increasing traffic congestion on the roads and in the skies.

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2. Comfort: Train travel tends to be more comfortable than air travel, with more legroom, spacious seating, and the ability to move around freely during the journey. Trains also have larger windows, allowing passengers to enjoy scenic views during the trip.

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Along the eastern corridor, there's a good bit of demand for Amtrak tickets, which pushes those prices up. And that's partly because Amtrak knows being able to travel between cities such as New York and D.C. without the hassle of driving to the airport, going through security, getting on a plane, etc.

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According to new research from environmental campaigners Greenpeace, flying in Europe can be up to 30 times cheaper than taking the train.

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What's that about? Amtrak doesn't own the vast majority of the lines, the vast majority of rail roads are setup for freight trains that are happy to do 30-50 mph, Amtraks trains are dispatched at the leisure of the freight lines they run over.

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Their speed, however, will be limited by the complexities of the 457-mile route, which is old, curvy and carries a mix of freight, commuter and intercity trains. Most Amtrak trains travel between 110 mph to 145 mph in the corridor, depending on the track and proximity to stations.

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Amtrak is a federally chartered corporation, with the federal government as majority stockholder. The Amtrak Board of Directors is appointed by the President of the United States and confirmed by the U.S. Senate. Amtrak is operated as a for-profit company, rather than a public authority.

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December 2, 2022 The staffing shortage plaguing American businesses of all kinds continues to bite down hard at Amtrak, whose leadership acknowledged yesterday during a public Board of Directors meeting in St. Louis that despite their best efforts those shortages are going to keep crimping service for much of 2023.

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