Re: Saving Amtrak-Opportunity for action
Author: Erik H.
Date: 03-19-2017 - 10:10
David Dewey Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Hear Hear!! provide passenger trains the same support given Airlines and Bus Companies!
So, force Amtrak to pay taxes, and to pay market rent for facilities that it rents from other parties?
Should there be a $4.50 "Passenger Facility Charge" as a separate line-item on each Amtrak ticket, to pay for the costs of station rent and maintenance?
Should there be a $5.60 "Security Fee" as a separate line-item on each Amtrak ticket, to pay for the cost of Amtrak Police and other security?
Should there be a 7.5% "Domestic Transportation Tax" as a separate line-item on each Amtrak ticket, to reimburse the host railroad for the costs of PTC implementation, dispatching and other costs?
Should there be a $4.10 "Segment Fee"? An $18.00 "International Destination" tax, plus a $5.50 "Customs User Fee" tax, for all Amtrak trips that cross the Canadian border? Should Amtrak be subject to the same diesel taxes that Greyhound is subject to?
Beware of what you ask for...because for my $28.00 Amtrak ticket from Portland to Seattle, I just increased that to $44.30 assuming I leave from Portland...from Seattle I get to pay Washington state sales tax. And that isn't including the increased taxes that Amtrak will have to pay that is buried within the ticket price.