United States Government Publishing Office publisher pbl distributor dst United States Government Accountability Office Resources, Community, and Economic Development Division author aut Government Organization text government publication eng GAOREPORTS Legislative Agency Publications gao legislative 2010-08-12 U.S. Government Printing Office 1995-03-23 monographic deposited born digital GA 1.13:T-RCED-95-142 https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/GAOREPORTS-T-RCED-95-142 P0b002ee1803a5acc f:trc95142 DGPO 2010-08-12 2011-03-24 GAOREPORTS-T-RCED-95-142 machine generated eng fdlp REPORT GAOREPORTS-T-RCED-95-142 T-RCED-95-142 Railroad transportation operations Railroad industry Financial management Differential subsidies Future budget projections Appropriated funds Federal aid to railroads Mass transit operations Transportation industry Maintenance costs Amtrak Northeast Corridor Railroad Retirement Trust Fund Amtrak Strategic and Business Plan Amtrak Northeast Corridor Improvement Project Testimony RCED Amtrak's financial and operating conditions have deteriorated to the point where its ability to offer nationwide service is seriously threatened. Debt, deferred maintenance, and reduced staffing have helped Amtrak to survive but have also diminished the quality and the reliability of service. In December 1994, Amtrak announced an aggressive plan to reduce expenses by eliminating routes, retiring its oldest cars, cutting staff, and boosting productivity. Yet even if the plan is successful, it will not solve the railroad's long-term problems. GAO believes that continuing the present course--maintaining the same funding level and route system, even with proposed service cuts--is neither feasible nor realistic because Amtrak will continue to deteriorate. GAO discusses the implications of several alternatives, ranging from privatization to limiting service to routes that carry the largest number of passengers in the most cost-effective manner. https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GAOREPORTS-T-RCED-95-142/html/GAOREPORTS-T-RCED-95-142.htm GAO/T-RCED-95-142 https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/GAOREPORTS-T-RCED-95-142 Testimony GAO/T-RCED-95-142; Amtrak: Deteriorated Financial and Operating Conditions Threaten Long-Term Viability; Railroad transportation operations Railroad industry Financial management Differential subsidies Future budget projections Appropriated funds Federal aid to railroads Mass transit operations Transportation industry Maintenance costs Amtrak Northeast Corridor Railroad Retirement Trust Fund Amtrak Strategic and Business Plan Amtrak Northeast Corridor Improvement Project