Take a Pass on Trains | Randal O'Toole | Cato Institute: Commentary

Take a Pass on Trains | Randal O'Toole | Cato Institute: Commentary: "For one thing, they really won't be very fast. Illinois expects to spend $3 billion increasing the average speed of the Chicago-St. Louis trains from 53 to 73 m.p.h. Calling these 'high-speed trains' is simply false advertising.

Second, even subsidized by taxes, the fares will be too high for most people. Fares on Amtrak's high-speed Acela from New York to Washington start at $133. Megabus and other unsubsidized bus companies offer the same trip for around $15. The buses have free WiFi; Amtrak has NoFi."

"Proponents argue the trains will be convenient for downtown-to-downtown trips. But less than 8% of Americans work in big-city downtowns — mainly bankers, lawyers and government bureaucrats. Should it really be a state priority to subsidize wealthy travelers?"