Why should Amtrak pay full fare when no one else does?

The news from Washington is that Amtrak doesn't pay its own way so it should be eliminated. However, yesterday's news is that the U.S. Department of Transportation has granted $9.5 million to improve airports at about a dozen Montana towns, including towns along the Amtrak route.

It's nice that all of these Montana towns have good airports, but does anyone require that they pay their own way? Why is this a Federal requirement for Amtrak only?

Robert Hurly

Glasgow