MisterUptempo
Lead Service Attendant
This whole "bidding process" is nothing but a stalking horse for the Amtrak haters to justify killing the system entirely.
In scenario A, no one (or at least no one of any credibility) bids. The proponents of this process will then declare, "If the Class I's and successful private rail operators, those who know railroading better than anyone else, don't see a path to financial success operating Amtrak's routes, why should taxpayers foot the bill for Amtrak any longer?"
In scenario B, an entity attempts to operate a route or routes and fails (see-Iowa Pacific/Hoosier State). The proponents of this process will then declare, "If a Class I or successful private rail operator, those who know railroading better than anyone else, tried and failed to find a path to financial success operating Amtrak's routes, why should taxpayers foot the bill for Amtrak any longer?"
It's a pre-determined conclusion that's just been furnished with a mechanism to prove that conclusion.
In scenario A, no one (or at least no one of any credibility) bids. The proponents of this process will then declare, "If the Class I's and successful private rail operators, those who know railroading better than anyone else, don't see a path to financial success operating Amtrak's routes, why should taxpayers foot the bill for Amtrak any longer?"
In scenario B, an entity attempts to operate a route or routes and fails (see-Iowa Pacific/Hoosier State). The proponents of this process will then declare, "If a Class I or successful private rail operator, those who know railroading better than anyone else, tried and failed to find a path to financial success operating Amtrak's routes, why should taxpayers foot the bill for Amtrak any longer?"
It's a pre-determined conclusion that's just been furnished with a mechanism to prove that conclusion.