The Best of Reason: Abolish Amtrak, the FDA, and the TSA
In the Abolish Everything issue, Reason writers make the case for ending Amtrak, the FDA, the TSA, and everything else.
Amtrak
Abolish Amtrak
Why should the federal government run a transportation corporation?
How California's Ban on Diesel Locomotives Could Have Major National Repercussions
No technology exists today to enable railroads to comply with the state's diktat, which villainizes a mode of transportation that is actually quite energy efficient.
Do Not Under Any Circumstances Nationalize Greyhound
Private, for-profit intercity bus services are a remarkable example of free market transportation. Socialists naturally want to shut it all down.
Biden Threatens To Veto GOP Spending Bill That Would 'Cut' Amtrak Funding to Double Pre-Pandemic Levels
Amtrak has historically received $2 billion in federal subsidies each year. Under Republicans' "draconian" cuts, they'd receive over $5 billion next year.
As Rail Riders Disappear, the Feds Want To Spend $8.8 Billion Expanding a Rail Station
The rail lines servicing Washington, D.C.'s Union Station are carrying as little as a quarter of their pre-pandemic ridership. Officials still want to triple the station's capacity.
Fatal Amtrak Crash a Reminder of Congress' Misaligned Rail Safety Priorities
Railroads spent a decade and billions of dollars fulfilling a costly federal mandate, at the expense of addressing less eye-catching causes of rail-related deaths.
Biden Says the Deficit Is Falling. Actually, It's Rising.
Under Biden, Trump, and Obama, government federal spending almost doubled.
Memphis Gave IKEA $9.5 Million While Several Smaller Furniture Stores Went Under
Corporate welfare hurts the people who actually need help.
Everything Is Infrastructure Now
How spending got out of control and words lost their meaning.
Infrastructure Bill Bans Vaping on Amtrak
Amtrak's funding will double under the bipartisan infrastructure bill, while Amtrak passengers will have to put up with more rules.
Senate Republicans and Democrats Agree To Double Amtrak's Funding
A bill approved by the Senate’s Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation would give the money-losing rail company $19 billion over 5 years.
Amtrak Wants $75 Billion To Create More Money-Losing Routes
The company's 15-year "Corridor Vision" also asks Congress for the power to sue private railroads that don't prioritize its passenger trains.
Oops! Amtrak Trains Don't Fit in Miami's $2 Billion Train Station
The Miami Intermodal Center opened five years ago, but is still unable to service Amtrak trains.
DEA Paid Millions to Confidential Informants Who Could No Longer Be Trusted
One informant lied in court and still worked for the DEA, pocketing over $469,000 in a five-year span.
With Amtrak Subsidy, Biden Takes Taxpayers for a Ride
If Acela is such a great business, why does the federal government need to loan it money?
Amtrak Spending $2.4 Billion on New 'Faster' Trains That Probably Won't Go Any Faster
The big purchase is a good metaphor for the state of high speed rail in America right now, where politically driven promises can't overcome hard reality.
Federal Court Condemns Congress for Giving Unconstitutional Regulatory Powers to Amtrak
D.C. Circuit strikes down federal law that "grants Amtrak, a self-interested entity, power to regulate its competitors."
Amtrak Has Problems, But a Lack of Federal Funding Is Not One of Them
The railroad's problems are political, not operational.
Self-Driving Cars Are Coming Fast, So Why Should We Spend a Dime Rebuilding Amtrak?
Trains were cutting-edge technology. In 1825.
More Reasons to Be Nervous About Amtrak: Illegitimate Federal Agent Hassles
The train service sells out its customers to the DEA.
Is Dianne Feinstein Responsible for the Amtrak Crash that Killed Eight? No, But Government Safety Mandates Can Have Tragic and Unintended Consequences.
Congress's decision to mandate an expensive and complicated safety system made American travelers less safe.
Make Amtrak Safer and Privatize It
The federal government should not be in the railroad business.
Hundreds Have Been Stranded on Three Amtrak Trains Since Monday
Trains are in Illinois, can't move because of snow
Amtrak Train Partially Derails Overnight in South Carolina
207 passengers, no reports of serious injury
Amtrak Lost More Than $100 Million on Three Long Haul Routes Out of New Orleans in 2012
Big gains in the Northeast and ridership up 55 percent since 1997 but still a money loser
Air Travel Woes Sending Passengers to Amtrak
President Richard Nixon promised Amtrak would only last two years when he established it in 1971.
Amtrak's Horrible, Expensive Food to Protect Overpaid Public Jobs
"It's a whopper of an idea, trading good-paying jobs for cheaper hamburgers," is the defense.
Amtrak Lost More Than $800 Million on Food
"It costs passengers $9.50 to buy a cheeseburger on Amtrak, but the cost to taxpayers is $16.15."
