Beggining the '70's, my antecessor, Prof. Eng. Enrique Arquímedes Porta started a investigation to understand better railway deficit.
He used the nonsense method, asking itself What would be of the economy if tomorrow we close all railways. Sound this similar to Nobel Economy Pride Robert Vogel work? Well...
On those times, passengers trains were in a economical collapse situation. Germany were considering the possibility to replace the railways by an Autobahn net. But... but... but, using Porta's calculation method they discovered if doing that fiscal deficit will shot up 9 times. So they decided to maintain railways, and to put focus on the ICE project.
In USA... we know. Private passengers train went to bankrupcy, and "state" Amtrak born.
So... A socialist style company in the heart of a capitalist system.? Why?
Simple. Having Amtrak is costly. But not having it is... more costly. This was Prof. Eng. Porta conclusion
If tomorrow we close Amtrak, the result will be a big damage on the US economy. How do I know this? Easy. In the '90's we closed railways, and we replaced all traffic by trucks and buses. Now we are paying that, and believe me... is not a good business.
So... Amtrak... Why?
Because «Public Benefit»
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