amtrak operates services that serve rural areas, especially out west. if they only focused on specific areas such new york, washington d.c., and california, they would be more profitable. however, amtrak is also vital to the rural places it serves, despite being a taxpayer expense.
"Our government looses millions on Amtrak each year"
airlines have received bigger subsidies in one year than amtrak has received since its inception.
https://skift.com/2015/04/09/wikileaks-disclosure-shows-u-s-airlines-received-billions-in-subsidies/
meanwhile, toll roads and highways are more expensive to maintain than a single pair of railroad tracks, and don't make any profits
"people still prefer cars"
no they don't. literally everyone i've talked to irl hates driving. people use cars, not prefer them. our railroads were stolen from us, not defeated by popular demand. when i traveled from philadelphia to boston with amtrak, the entire train's seats were occupied.
