There have been recent cries from some northern liberal politicians to make public transit free. Should Amtrak be free also?
As Mr. Trainguy notes, there does appear to be an initiative, as Adriana reports to her "flock":
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/free-pub ... 2aa651191e
Now so far as I'm concerned, free mass transportation should only be afforded to those who meet needs - litmus - tests. Those programs can be administered through existing Human Service agencies.
From one who admittedly benefitted from a "Seniors Ride Free" program some ten years ago in the Chicago area, I really had my guilt trips about signing up. I can well afford to have psid my own way, but the flip side said "Look a gift horse in the mouth"?
I have eligible friends who simply declined to participate - they certainly "didn't need it."
So far as an inter-city carrier, public agency notwithstanding, offering such a benefit, uh, NO!
If a Human Services agency can be funded for such, great. Towards that end, always happy to have donated my airline miles to one military relief agency or the other. If any such agency partnered with Amtrak, well there would then be a home for my 20 some Guest Rewards points that will likely just expire.