[NittLion78]

At least in the US, I think it's the combination of cheap airfares + the tracks being owned by freight companies, so there's not a ton of profit incentive to make it better and attract more riders.

I assume Canada has a similar history/present.

[mobilefriendly]

Amtrak is a government subsidized entity with monopolies on certain passenger rail, it really doesn't have a strong profit incentive.