Editorial: Few riders spell doom for trains

Wednesday, May 14, 1997 | 11:59 a.m.

IT seems ironic that this city, created less than a century ago by an expanding transcontinental railroad, should pay so little attention to the demise of passenger service.

But Amtrak's Desert Wind Monday passed through town for the last time without attracting much attention. It was the end of 18 years of passenger service between Los Angeles and Chicago and Las Vegas' sole rail link to the rest of the country.

Despite objections from rail buffs, the economic realities were clear. Amtrak, strapped for cash in declining federal budgets, can't keep nonprofitable routes. The Desert Wind, like the Pioneer that served the Portland to Chicago route, is history.

Las Vegas still has hope for fast surface transportation. Amtrak is looking at a Los Angeles to Las Vegas high-speed train that would cater to tourists. A low-fare, five-hour run might be an attractive alternative to braving Interstate 15 on Friday nights. One key to success apparently lies in whether hotel-casinos will buy blocks of tickets as part of travel packages. Hopefully, any plans would include stops downtown and on the Strip.

The corporation hopes to have the new train in service by next year. But, as in other routes, profitability will be the decisive factor. People have to ride the train to make it successful.