Answering this question is tough because Amtrak, a federally owned corporation, operates most of America’s intercity passenger trains. Similarly, Via Rail, a Crown Corporation (government-owned company), operates most of Canada’s intercity passenger trains. Meanwhile, regional agencies operate the commuter trains millions of Canadians and Americans ride each day.
Governments operate most of North America’s passenger trains because private railroads found passenger service unprofitable. For example, President Richard M. Nixon (R-California) and Congress organized Amtrak to preserve passenger rail service in the US.