When long distance routes have been cut in the past to reduce costs the losses have increased. This indicates that, regardless of Amtrak's lack of serious accounting, the long distance trains already cover their own costs and return a profit. But we aren't running enough trains to cover the overhead of maintenance heavy routes like the NEC. Since the demand is already there for more trains at the current prices, maybe something should be done to improve service to meet existing demand.
Independent analysis claims that if the train is allowed to be built from Fresno to LA the HSR will cover all the operating costs. I expect it to be at least as successful as other HSR projects if permitted.
California is now talking about borrowing the budget surplus to keep the construction moving. It would be rather humorous if the activist judge tried to kill the train by blocking the sale of bonds and the line was finished before they were sold.
