Introduction
Governments are tasked with a challenging responsibility of adopting informed and justifiable decisions when budgeting for the country’s resources. Investing in unproductive or unhelpful projects is not acceptable because this characterize misuse of public resources. Amtrak is one of the major projects in United States that has realized attention of policy makers. A group of policy makers has lobbied for the continued funding of this project while other argues that the company should lose its subsidiaries. Deciding whether the government should withdraw its support from Amtrak or continue funding the project is challenging because either of the options carry reasonable benefits and detriments. However, considering the contemporary global status and the thrilling challenges such energy shortages and congestions in highway, the paper argues that supporting and defending Amtrak project is essential.
The rationale informing the need of supporting Amtrak is based in the fact that this mode is capable of addressing a number of challenges including congested highways among others. Funding the Amtrak project may be costly; however, successful adoption of the project will grant the United States a competitive advantage of other economies. The challenges such as congestions and short of energy are not reserve of the United States only since other stable and fast growing economies such as Japan and China are also facing these problems. By investing in Amtrak project, the United States will have assumed a strategic position in solving these problems thus country will be able to outshine other economies that will not have established effective approaches for checking these challenges that are hinders economic development. Amtrak is a strategic project of great economic values. Presently, the company operates over 300 trains. These trains operate at very high speed of up to 240 km/h, covering 34,000 Kilometers and connecting over 500 destinations in 46 states. Studies assert that the company served 31.2 million customers realizing revenue of 2.88 billion dollars in the year 2012. The efficiency of Amtrak makes brings on board reasons as to why the mode of transport should continue to be supported.
Many strategists prefer this model because it is highly sustainable in terms of energy efficiency. Amtrak provides an ideal option that outshines the services provided by automobiles and commercial airlines. Their efficiency is attributable to the fact that there is a connection of rail stations in downtown regions to local public transport. They are intermodal connections as they connect to other transport systems (Hanus 86).
The need for expanding Amtrak’s activities emanates from the consideration that it serves 46 out of 50 states. Financial challenges have forced the government to dismiss some of the rail routes. For example, the government considered the significance of discontinuing routes such as Alaska railroad, as they connect poorly with the rest of the United States. Amtrak also has an operational captive bus system that connects to train routes. The services provided by the Amtrak often appear to be of less significance to the society. This is because the corporation mainly operates along the borders and away from major populated regions. Lack of railroads in some states alarms the need of improving and expanding Amtrak transport systems. This gives commuters opportunity to use other automobiles and airlines, which would be of no need if Amtrak were operational. Alaska railroad serves Alaska because it is isolated from the rest of the continental U.S. and Hawaii is presently proposing to building an elevated railroad line that is commuter oriented (Pitt, 319).
Amtrak services are of high demand; however, reduced funding has resulted to withdrawal or reduction of services from various states. For instance, Chicago is presently the sole commuter rail connection between East and Midwest. Furthermore, freight and service cut issues have resulted to cancellation of various routes thus denying commuters a chance of accessing Amtrak services. For example, Amtrak cancelled time sensitive freight and postal services of United States in 2004 following poor returns. These routes are of great need and should not be cancelled rather they should be expanded to promote the transport system in the region. Avoiding unauthorized delays would enhance fast and effective means of transport. This is because to Amtrak often suffers service disruption due to untimely rehabilitation of tracks and failure of host railroads to maintain their tracks that results to major delays.
The United States government is a prime investor in the Amtrak’s business. In this respect, the government demands the company to observe high standards and accountability in its operations (Hanus 197). It is apparent that Amtrak is a helpful and strategic business model; however, lack of effective inter-states connections is limiting its activities. This means states need to be linked together especially through railroads. In this consideration, the government should not abandon its effort of subsidizing Amtrak’s activities.
Congressional funding and leadership is politically infused benefiting Amtrak from politically oriented and highly motivated public servants. Putting in place Policies that enhance its operation would cater for labor issues in pension funding due to limitations imposed by congress. Amending policies that check on the welfare of employees will improve their working terms that would motivate them to enhance the services they offer to customers. All these will benefit the company as a whole and provide worthy services to passengers.
In the year 1997, the congress allowed Amtrak to contracts for labor outside the company, which prompted privatization. The stability of Amtrak lies deeply on the employee’s stability of tenure and services offered to them such as health care. Unlike other countries where there are several independent unions operating on different platforms. In 2004, there were cutbacks in routes and services due to a stalemate in government support. Furthermore, declines of sleeper and food services following simplified dining services have resulted to fewer on board workers. Reduced federal aid has resulted to poor service delivery, as the company is unable to fund some essential operational procedures. This means that the government should help the company in establishing effective pension and healthcare plans for its employees to correct the situation (Pitt 328).
Amtrak’s mode of transport is according to classes just like airlines. Their seats are wide and comfortable for coach class. There is provision of beverages and newspapers in business class and a quiet, elegant atmosphere with hot towels, newspapers and complementary meals in first class. Not all these are available in a personal car.
With the high rise of gasoline prices in 2007-2008, the company has recorded a sky rocketing ridership overall. There is a high need of increasing capital to be able to replace old equipments because the annual total cost for repair per exceeds the amount needed to buy new equipments. Investing in new equipments will aid the operation of the company by reducing the cost for repair and the company can invest the salvaged money in other strategic developments. Use of old equipments should be for repair purpose later on when the new ones wears off (Soloman 278).
Amtrak is a popular means of transport in most U.S states. For example, it is the only means of public transport between Albuquerque and Raton. Federal government support to Amtrak is vital and should be given priority to enhance transport system in all states. Furthermore, the government should build terminus in states were Amtrak’s services are lacking. This will result to improved economy as the states take advantage of the opportunities provided by the Amtrak. Increased routes will be beneficial to commuters since they will provide effective mode of transport. Interestingly, the Amtrak model is capable of reducing travel time by providing high-speed services in congested highways such as Washington to New York City. It is apparent that expanding Amtrak services will enable faster and more frequent transportation in the near future. Amtrak has good services for baggage although it limits many passengers who might have bigger, heavier and more carry-on bag. They also changes extra third and fourth bag (Hanus 254). These policies need to be re-evaluated to provide customer friendly terms.
Improved infrastructure where crossovers are built to allow freight and passenger trains bypass each other maximizing on transport through trains switching tracks. Introduction of an express train will cut on time spent on local terminus promoting quick transport on long distances. According to Texas Transportation institute survey, 14% of passengers note that they may fail to travel if there were no train services or a clear indication of its importance in U.S. Avoiding congestion in highways is the key reason for demand of train transportation (Soloman 314). The need of investing in infrastructure is also identifiable in the economic value of the Amtrak services. An efficient transport system is likely to result to improved economy status. For example, the Amtrak model of business will foster great interconnection of cities.
Use of rail travel is very efficient in checking on the environment pertaining balancing the environment and economy. Rail service uses less fuel in comparison to airplanes and cars. The U.S energy data has it that Amtrak is 20% more efficient than domestic airlines. This is possible because it uses diesel and electricity produced in the Northeast from several types of fuels. The increased use of dynamic braking is more fuel-efficient than power applied.
The limited federal investment limits growth of Northeast corridor. Infrastructure in the Northeast corridor has led total degradation of its mechanism hence low reliability that poses a threat to continuity of rail operations (Hanus 213). The underway project to give Amtrak 386 million dollars to cater for NEC normalization every year for the next fifteen years presents a backlog of infrastructure work. This funding will enable Amtrak improve its operations and maintain excellent transport performance. Countries that do not have railroads suffer congestions and time wastage in the high ways since they don’t have any other option than use of cars that are expensive. Critics on the worth of Amtrak are not worthwhile because reliable train system connects countries and Amtrak offer their services in underserved rural areas (Soloman 234).
Policies put in place for commuters are very conducive though they often present some restrictions. For example, some policies regulate the number of children, luggage and destination among affecting the activities of the corporation. The congress must also consider putting in place policies that favor commuter services as other countries in Europe. Protecting and increasing Amtrak subsidies is essential following their high demand in United States (Pitt 453). Emergence of terminus has the potential of prompting the establishment of urban centers in underserved rural areas. Furthermore, transportation of goods from one region to another improves production while encouraging trade (Hanus 227). High-speed rail services are efficient because they provide a fast transport while minimizing the over reliance on airlines and other automobiles. High investment in the Northeast corridor is essential to develop it enabling a bigger population to settle in the region.
It is apparent that Amtrak project is of great relevance when thinking about the future of the United States economy. The project invites various benefits to the country giving it a competitive edge over others. Adopting this project will be essential in reducing highway congestion while providing efficient mode of transport. Furthermore, the project will provide the United States with a sustainable scheme that is sensitive to the global challenge of the energy shortage. This highlights the significance of supporting and defending this important project by providing essential subsidiaries and instituting effective policies for advancing and protecting the activities of Amtrak.
Work Cited
Hanus, Chris and Shaske John. USA West by Train: The Complete Amtrak Travel Guide. Way of the Rail Publishing.2009.Print
Pitt, John. Usa by Rail: Plus Canada's Main Routes. Chalfont St. Peter: Bradt Travel Guides, 2012. Print.
Soloman, Brian. Amtrak (Mbi Railroad Color History). MBI. 2004. Print
