Tag: Anderson

Amtrak Names William Flynn as CEO and President

March 2, 2020 / WIL BALDWIN

WASHINGTON – Amtrak announced that it has named William J. Flynn as its next Chief Executive Officer and President. Flynn, a seasoned business leader with four decades of transportation and logistics experience, will begin his role on April 15, 2020. Flynn succeeds Richard Anderson, who joined Amtrak as CEO in July 2017. Anderson, who fulfills his three-year commitment to the company this year, will remain with Amtrak through the end of the year as a senior advisor to Flynn.

Flynn, 66, has been a successful leader across multiple modes of transportation, including rail, maritime and aviation. Most recently, he served 13 years with Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings, Inc., which serves the global air freight, military charter and passenger charter markets, as President and CEO and Board Chairman. He also held senior roles with CSX Transportation, Sea-Land Services, Inc., and GeoLogistics Corp.

“Bill is the right executive to lead us into the future,” said Amtrak Board Chairman Tony Coscia. “We’ve never been stronger as a company than we are today. We are modernizing the customer experience and delivering our service to more people. Bill has a consistent track record of growing and improving complex transportation businesses. We are confident he will build upon the strong foundation of record-setting growth and improvement set by the Board, Richard and the entire Amtrak team.”

In fiscal year 2019, Amtrak set new records in ridership, revenue and earnings. In 2020, Amtrak is on pace to achieve operational breakeven for the first time in the company’s 49-year history. Additionally, Amtrak is investing billions in capital assets and is undertaking the largest fleet renewal in company history, with new high-speed Acela trains entering service on the Northeast Corridor next year.

“Amtrak’s future is incredibly bright and I’m excited to join the team,” said Flynn. “Amtrak service is vital to millions of Americans across the nation and by improving the customer experience, driving safety, and strengthening our partnership with states and other stakeholders, we can do much more for the American people. Tony, Richard and Amtrak’s dedicated employees have done an amazing job modernizing the company for the 21^st Century. It’s a privilege to join them in continuing this work and advancing something as important as Amtrak’s mission.”

“I congratulate the Board on selecting Bill to lead Amtrak into its 50th year and beyond,” said Anderson. “Bill brings deep expertise across all aspects of transportation and a true passion for the customer. As the company refleets our equipment, expands our services and advances key infrastructure projects like the Gateway Program, it will require the steady leadership and relentless drive for improvement that I know Bill can provide.”

Amtrak’s Infrastructure Renewal at New York Penn Station

May 3, 2019 / WIL BALDWIN

NEW YORK – Amtrak will continue its Infrastructure Renewal program at New York Penn Station this summer by performing state of good repair work on JO railroad interlocking which directs Amtrak, Long Island Rail Road and NJ TRANSIT trains heading east and west from the East River Tunnels.

“Amtrak has made record levels of capital investment to improve the reliability of our infrastructure and overall customer experience, and we continue to do so in New York Penn Station for all the users of this important station,” said Amtrak President & CEO Richard Anderson. “We appreciate the continued support and confidence from our commuter partners and patience from our customers as we continue to deliver this important work safely, on time and within budget, improving the commutes for the many users of Penn Station.”

The total cost of the projects is estimated at $30 million, which will keep this important infrastructure in a state of good repair and benefit all users of Penn Station with an upgraded, state-of-the art railroad and more reliable service. The work on JO Interlocking will occur between Friday, June 28, and Monday, Sept. 2, including the renewal of critical infrastructure such as switches and turnouts at North America’s busiest train station.

Amtrak schedule adjustments will include:

• Northeast Regional Train 110 from Washington, D.C. to New York Penn Station will be cancelled.
• Northeast Regional Train 127 from New York Penn Station to Washington, D.C. will be cancelled.
• Northbound Keystone Train 640 will terminate at Newark Penn Station (NWK).
• Southbound Keystone Train 643 will originate at NWK.
• Southbound Keystone Train 653 will departe NYP early.
• Cardinal Train 51 will depart NYP early on weekdays only.
• Maple Leaf Train 63 and Adirondack Train 69 will be combined on the regular time slot for 63 and will split at Albany, N.Y. (ALB).

Customers booked on trains with a modified schedule will be contacted and accommodated on other scheduled services.Additional information and updates will be posted on Amtrak.com and Amtrak.com/NYPrenewal. To be notified of service disruptions on the Northeast Corridor (including Acela Express, Northeast Regional and other corridor services), follow @AmtrakNECAlerts on Twitter.

While Amtrak has maintained and repaired this aging infrastructure, some of which dates back to the 1970’s, full replacement is now required. During the summer of 2017, Amtrak kicked off its Infrastructure Renewal at New York Penn Station, and continued it in early 2018 and during the Summer of 2018. The Infrastructure Renewal program is one element of Amtrak’s overall plan to modernize stations, infrastructure and equipment on the Northeast Corridor.

Amtrak Celebrates 48 Years; Looks to the Future

May 1, 2019 / WIL BALDWIN

WASHINGTON – Continuing its FY18 success, Amtrak is on track for its best year as the company celebrates its 48^th year of operations. Fiscal year ridership is up 1.3% through March over FY18, and Amtrak is heading toward breakeven on an operating earnings basis by FY21. Amtrak has committed to investing billions in modernizing infrastructure, fleet, and facilities to meet the growing needs and ensure a continued, bright future for passenger rail service across the nation.

Following the enactment of the Rail Passenger Service Act in 1970, Amtrak began serving customers on May 1, 1971, taking over the operation for most intercity passenger trains then operated by private railroads in exchange for access to their respective networks, thus preserving intercity passenger rail service across America. With demonstrated success under new leadership and growing demand for passenger rail, it’s a pivotal time for America’s Railroad^® to reinforce the promises made 48 years ago and to reassess Amtrak’s network for the next 50 years.

“We are changing intercity passenger rail to meet the needs of America – modernizing our trains and stations, improving on-time performance, and adding contemporary amenities – making it the preferred mode of travel for customers,” said Amtrak President & CEO Richard Anderson. “We are experiencing record growth, and we look forward to working with Congress to further invest in our rail infrastructure to better serve the changing landscape of our nation.”

With much of Amtrak’s infrastructure dating to the early 1900s and most of Amtrak’s equipment nearing the end of its useful life, considerable investments are needed to address increased highway congestion, rapid urbanization, and the threats posed by our changing climate.

Additionally, millennials and aging populations are changing the overall travel landscape, forming new markets, with many of the fastest growing markets having limited or no intercity passenger rail service.

“We have been building a successful company over the last several years: best-ever operating performance, record ridership and revenue, and the highest ever capital spend,” said Amtrak Board Chair Tony Coscia. “We have the potential to meaningfully enhance how this country moves in the future, to provide frequent and reliable, city-to-city passenger rail service.”

Last month, Amtrak submitted its 5 Year Plans which provide a comprehensive strategic and financial view of the services that Amtrak provides its customers along with its General and Legislative Annual Report to Congress. Amtrak is preparing to transmit a comprehensive re-authorization proposal to Congress later this year as the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act is set to expire.

Amtrak Names William Flynn as CEO and President

Amtrak’s Infrastructure Renewal at New York Penn Station

Amtrak Celebrates 48 Years; Looks to the Future

Archives