Much of the secondary passenger rail service did receive much of its revenue from mail and express service, which in effect subsidized regular passenger service on that route. Typically, the USPS would pay for a certain amont of space on the train regardless of whether it was used or not, such as 15', 30' or 60' in the case of RPO space.

The Express and mail parcel traffic began shifting towards UPS and the like, using the publicly built highways was cheaper than rail, and centralizing sorting centers when zip codes were introduced killed all but the bulk mail service by rail.

The USPS still pays contract truckers to provide so much space, regardless if it is used. So many of those trucks you see aren't even close to full except during the Christmas rush. Yet, the truckers are not allowed to subtitute a smaller, more cost and fuel efficient truck when the demand is not there.

Bottom line - our government is not held accountable by the people.