Today, from Amtrak’s website:

  • socsa
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    36 days ago

    Believe it or not the US actually has one of the largest rail networks in the world still. Passenger rail is just not popular.

    • @[email protected]
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      6 days ago

      While true, I would add that a big reason is that freight is prioritised by rail companies, causing large and frequent delays for passengers. Amtrak owns some of its own rail, mostly in the northeast, which is perhaps less-than-coincidentally the part of the US that has the most people taking trains.

    • @pyre
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      5 days ago

      that’s because it’s a continent. comparing it to other countries by route km is ridiculous. if you look at coverage, or population per km it’s absolutely abysmal. the US comes 132nd per population covered. not to mention 80% of the network is freight lines. so it’s the same old: because it’s a good thing, it’s mostly there for corporations.