The state is indeed paying to keep the Harrisburg-- Philadelphia line going. The fares are ridiculously low: I pay around $11.50 to go to Philadelphia (senior fare).It then costs about a minimum of $90 to go on to D.C. I've used the service about 8 times in the past year and ridership is increasing. On a recent Friday night, the train from Philadelphia was very crowded; 1,000 per day seems just about right to me.

The Amtrak service from New York to Harrisburg, including Philadelphia and all stops between is one of the greatest RR travel systems that remain in effect in the United States. This is not to say that the service is above reproach, but given the alternatives of the price of gasoline, parking, congestion and all the other factors than make private vehicle travel so costly and difficult these days between large metropolitan centers, the Amtrak service between HBG, PHILA and NYC remains as near first class as is possible in all respects. Amtrak service between NYC, PHILA and HBG has got to be just about the best possible use of government dollars. It ain't the Orient Express, but it beats driving hands down.

Every time I read the word "busses" in these posts, it makes me smile

Any idea how much the government subsidizes the roadwork so you can puff your smog all over the city?

The govt. doesn't "subsidize" roadwork. They pay for it. All of it.