Amtrak lost $800M on cheeseburgers and soda

Amtrak lost $800M on cheeseburgers and soda


Amtrak is on a "break even" mandate for things like food and beverages.

In other words -- no "profit" allowed.

But, there seems to be no mandate on losses

Perhaps a new name is in order: Hamtrak

It looks like the vendor / contractors get rich off this ineptitude.

Washington Examiner -- Aug 2, 2012

Taxpayers lost $833 million over the last decade on the food and beverages supplied by Amtrak, which managed to spend $1.70 for every dollar that received in revenue.

“Over the last ten years, these losses have amounted to a staggering $833.8 million,” said Rep.John Mica, R-Fla., in a statement previewing a House hearing today. “It costs passengers $9.50 to buy a cheeseburger on Amtrak, but the cost to taxpayers is $16.15. Riders pay $2.00 for a Pepsi, but each of these sodas costs the U.S. Treasury $3.40.”

Amazon.com is currently selling 24-packs of 12 ounce Pepsi cans for $8.94 -- which averages to about 75 cents per can. ... [story continues]

Amtrak lost $800M on cheeseburgers and soda

Corruption Incorporated ??

16 bucks for a cheese burger! The taxpayers are getting screwed. They should have just put in a burger king.

Yay!

Blow 800 million no worries just raise taxes on the rich!

Problem solved!

I wonder what went through the CEO's mind when he decided to spend more than his company earns.

They probably thought if the U.S. Treasury can get away with losing trillions, this can be quietly swept under the rug as well.

if it's tax dollars, shouldn't the pepsi be free.

why does the taxpayer have to pay twice for a product that was paid for with their money.

Amtrak is not a money maker. The government uses it as a write off. Look at the history.

Originally posted by xuenchen


It looks like the vendor / contractors get rich off this ineptitude.\

It's not clear to me exactly where the skimming is going, but i doubt it's the vendors. I suspect its people higher up. This article really is lacking any real insight, and searching around the net, i see no other mentions of it except re-posts like this one.

It takes Amtrak and Uncle Sam to lose money on a $10 Cheeseburger. Oh jeeze... I wouldn't believe this story if I hadn't seen similar things so many times elsewhere.

Hey, how the hell is it I can have a Cheeseburger at Burger King down the street for $.95 each plus tax...but Amtrak charges the rider almost $10 and... you HAVE to be kidding me...for THAT crap?! $16+ on actual cost??

I don't think the problem is profit margin and accounting, I think the problem is being screwed inside out by suppliers and whoever is figuring all this out.

... Only thing worth buying on amtrak is cup'o'noodles, pizza, beer n liquor shots.... everythings else is waaaaay the hell overpriced... I've never seen a $10 hamburger tho....

reply to post by xuenchen


Having family, a neighbor, a good friend or someone that owes you a favor in a buyer position for the government is very much like winning the lottery.

The other choice is no passenger rail roads -- that is what the tea baggers can justify.

Originally posted by spyder550
The other choice is no passenger rail roads -- that is what the tea baggers can justify.

If they get rid of the corruption, maybe it would be break even.

Is there any link about Tea Party being against trains ?