All Aboard Amtrak for “Fraud, Waste and Abuse”

As a child, the trains were wonderful. Silverware, china, wonderful service and excellent food. We took it from the west to the east coast in 2002 and it was absolutely horrible. Never again, as long as the government is in charge. Pathetic.

Amtrak holds a monopoly on food and beverage sales on Amtrak trains. That has not prevented the taxpayer-funded rail system from losing nearly $1 billion—a full $834 million—on those services since 2002, about $80 million a year. In 2011 Amtrak spent $206 million on food services but collected only about $121 million. A hamburger that goes for $9.50 on Amtrak costs taxpayers $16, according to critics of Amtrak on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. A $2 drink costs taxpayers about $3.40 and labor adds nearly 60 percent overall, critics said. Also in play is subtraction by Amtrak employees.

More @ My Gov Cost