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   Trains 21, 22, 58, 59, 421 and 422 now have a different menu than the rest of the long-distance trains. These trains use preplated meals prepared off the train and the prices appear substantially higher than rail travelers are accustomed to paying. This change is no doubt part of the DOT effort to increase Amtrak income, but could have the effect of reducing train patronage.

   On one of the two rotating menus, breakfast items consist of three choices with meat, each priced at $10, and one cereal choice at $6.75.

   At lunch, a cheeseburger is $7, a sandwich (type varies) is $7.25, barbecue chicken with potato wedges, corn and salad is $12, and soup (minestrone or chicken noodle) is $4.

   At dinner, a beef entree (braised or tenderloin) is $18; a chicken entree is $17.50; cod fillets are $16.50; cheese tortellini is $11; and an "evening special" is $12.50.

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Killing Amtrak slowly from within

   The Administration failed last fiscal year to kill off Amtrak with its zero-budget request. Instead, it found that Amtrak has considerable support in Congress, and that body allowed Amtrak far more than the White House had in mind.

   This year the White House is changing tactics: instead of trying to kill it off through sudden bankruptcy, the White House will propose, in the budget to be revealed next week, $900 million, the same amount it had been proposing before its zero-budget surprise. The White House probably assumes that Congress will increase that figure, but it looks as if the WH will instead focus its attention on controlling Amtrak from within instead of from without (through the budget).

   In fact, the process has already begun with the stealthlike appointment of WH cronies to Amtrak's board of directors, the firing of Amtrak President David Gunn, the interim appointment of a competent but weaker-than-Gunn President, one who won't outspokenly rock the boat and demand better performance the way Gunn did, and the demanding of service cuts, whittling away bit by bit on the Amtrak amenities that attract customers.

   Already dining car cuts are being made and the WH is determined to reduce so-called losses from dining car services. (See related article at the left.)  Amtrak watchers are worried that sleeping car changes could be in the offing also. As David Gunn was being fired, he warned that passengers should expect train discontinuances. 

   While these events take place, Administration cronies in Amtrak will be, and are, saying that they are seeking to improve Amtrak, though their "improvements" may not be looked on as such by Amtrak users.

   Amtrak has caved in to UP requests that no passengers should board the northbound Coast Starlight between Eugene and Seattle. The ostensible reason for this change is the poor timekeeping of the northbound train on that part of its route. When the train is late, which is frequent, passengers for train 14 are usually switched to local trains. This new rule will be in effect for the foreseeable future.

 Links to other recent news articles

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