But I will chime in on one small thing. I thought of it last night while watching a documentary about Cruise ships. They were showing how cruises came from ship lines trying to figure out what to do with their ships after airplane travel took over their main business of taking people back and forth to Europe.

They turned passenger travel into, luxury fun.

If Amtrak would offer more than a seat and a meal, I think they could increase their value and product offered. Everyone knows that you can get to the Bahamas faster on a plane not a boat. Yet people take cruises everyday.

Amtrak should offer an arcade car for kids, a movie car showing GOOD movies with popcorn and soda for sale, a spa car for facials, hair etc. and of course a casino car.

That would be fun and plus Amtrak could make money off the arcades, facials etc, gaming.

Amtrak needs a marketeer as good as their ad agency.

Even if Amtrak can pull off something like that we still need a rail network for basic transportation at an affordable price. Not everyone can fly or drive (often for health reasons, or just personal preference) so a basic product at an affordable fare is necessary.

But you make a valid point that good service will attract mor riders. The question is are most riders willing to pay the extra amount for the extra luxuries?