Subsidy. Detractors of Amtrak often refer to the fact that "Amtrak is subsidized." Yes, Amtrak receives some subsidy. But let's look at the whole truth.
Generally speaking, railways are the ONLY mode of transport in the USA expected to rely on private investment to:
1. Acquire additional right-of-way.
2. Develop infrastructure on that right-of-way.
3. Maintain infrastructure.
4. Provide security and safety on and about their infrastructure (railway companies, including Amtrak, have their own police force).
5. Provide traffic control within their infrastructure, as well as between other modes of transport (such as drawbridges and grade crossings).
Furthermore, most railroad right-of-way and infrastructure are taxed by government entities.
This is generally not true of any other mode of transport. Highway, aviation, and waterway infrastructure is provided, maintained, policed and provided traffic control by federal, state and local governments and as such is not taxed. User fees are generally inadequate to sufficiently maintain and create said infrastructure. Railway companies subsidize their competition.
During economic downturns, national, state and local governments often use tax dollars to improve infrastructure in an appropriate effort to create jobs and stimulate the economy. This investment is often focused on improving and expanding capacity of highway, aviation and waterway infrastructure rather than privately-held railroad infrastructure. Conversely, during dips in economic activity, railroad companies – beholden to stock holders – often are forced to downsize infrastructure, and are understandably conservative with regard to investment/expansion during prosperous times.
Limited railroad infrastructure, compared to that of other modes of transport, is the root cause of delays to both freight and passenger trains. Such delays increase costs and reduce patronage and revenue. Creating adequate and appropriate infrastructure for all modes of transport is what our nation needs to thrive, and doing so will highlight the safety, speed, comfort, fuel-efficiency, and appreciation of the environment that passenger trains – and railroads in general – provide.
An efficient, effective transportation system is dependent upon the sensible utilization of all modes of transport: highway, aviation, waterway and rail.