New Amtrak chief offers few details

[Save Our Trains Michigan]

New Amtrak chief offers few details Amtrak's new president said Thursday (Sept. 28) that the U.S. should embrace rail travel at a time of growing transportation needs and high oil prices, but he gave no details of his plans for fixing the indebted passenger service, the Washington Post reports.

Speaking publicly for the first time since he began his job Sept. 12, Alexander Kummant said two of his goals were finding the most effective and efficient ways to run long-distance routes and beefing up the infrastructure of the heavily used Northeast Corridor.

The full story from the Washington Post.

 

[frj1983]

New Amtrak chief offers few details Amtrak's new president said Thursday (Sept. 28) that the U.S. should embrace rail travel at a time of growing transportation needs and high oil prices, but he gave no details of his plans for fixing the indebted passenger service, the Washington Post reports.

Speaking publicly for the first time since he began his job Sept. 12, Alexander Kummant said two of his goals were finding the most effective and efficient ways to run long-distance routes and beefing up the infrastructure of the heavily used Northeast Corridor.

The full story from the Washington Post.

So I am curious:

Was anybody expecting him to come in with immediate ideas on how to save Amtrak?? Or perhaps is it wiser to get around the property and get a better feel for what is going on? The guy has only been in charge for less than a month. I would think he might need a little space to get up to speed and begin to hear from rank and file employees, the Amtrak Board, various rail supporters, and congress before he can formulate a plan. That he did not come in and immedately state that certain routes needed to be shut down and sleepers be gotten rid of is in my mind, good news...as they say"no news is good news!"

 

[haolerider]

I have to agree with frj1983 and let him have the time to get oriented, rather than trying to be an Amtrak Wizard in the first month of employment. I am sure he has done his research before joining the company and I am also sure he is meeting with all the stakeholders - inside and outside the company to formulate his plans, but I am not worried at all that he did not go into a congressional hearing with firm plans for any segment of the business. In fact, I would be more worried if he did that!

 

[DaveKCMO]

at least he agrees that train travel requires some kind of subsidy. now if he can just convince the rest of washington...