Amtrak's CEO David Gunn Is Smiling

For the first time in many years, Amtrak is focused on the business of running a railroad.

1 minute read

January 4, 2004, 9:00 AM PST

"Ask anyone who works at Amtrak and they will tell you: they live in perpetual crisis mode. The company exists year to year at the mercy of fickle politicians. Every autumn, Amtrak officials go up to Capitol Hill with hat in hand pleading for funding. And every year, Amtrak officials get just enough money to limp along for one more year... But one thing is different this year. The company is focused again. After years and decades of changing visions and deferred maintenance, bloated bureaucracies and a demoralized workforce, people here are feeling pretty good, relatively speaking. For the first time in a long time, Amtrak is doing what a railroad company is supposed to do. Workers are fixing track, rebuilding cars and moving more passengers than ever before. All of which is enough to make David Gunn smile."

Thanks to Chris Steins

Read the full story: Amtrak reforms

Thursday, January 1, 2004 in Mass Transit

Transportation United States

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