Can Amtrak survive?
DESPITE ITS IMPRESSIVE NEW BOSTON-WASHINGTON BULLET TRAIN, THE NATIONAL RAIL SERVICE FACES DAUNTING PROBLEMS. –> BY DAVID M. FINE | Amtrak finally unveiled its new bullet-train service this week, a $2 billion experiment dubbed “Acela,” which, starting in December, will shuttle passengers from Boston to Washington at speeds of up to 150 mph. By electrifying the 470-mile route, straightening its curves and employing new trains, Amtrak will cut a half hour off its popular three-hour Metroliner service between Washington and New York, making it rival the time it takes to travel by plane, when travel to and from the airport is factored in. But the victory for Amtrak is bittersweet. It unleashes its pride and joy under the watchful eyes of the Amtrak Reform Council, created by the 1997 Amtrak Reform and Accountability Act, which demands that Amtrak be able to pay its own way by 2002 or face privatization. The council can write up liquidation plans as soon as December if it determines Amtrak
