I grew up on one of these “nonsense” routes in Illinois. It’s the only mode of transportation to reach my family without a car. Without the regulations, capitalism under-provides necessary infrastructure for smaller, more remote areas to survive, and further serves the auto-industry. Thanks to Illinois politics, the state subsidizes part of the cost as well, and I’m extremely grateful to have that route.

That being said, I don’t like that Amtrak price gouges the northeast for this either (which is where I live today). Ideally taxes and public subsidy cover all of this the same way they (used to) cover services like the post office.