Amtrak celebrates 42nd birthday with plea for multi-year funding

Skift Take

This shouldn’t be a conversation of whether Amtrak receives funding, but how that funding should be spent as the U.S. continues to fall behind its peers in high-speed infrastructure.

Amtrak marked 42 years of service on Wednesday with a plea for more money from Congress.

CEO Joe Boardman said Amtrak remains a "vital part" of the nation's transportation system, but can't continue to fulfill its "national mission" without more money from Washington.

"Amtrak has been underfunded and has too many conflicting missions with only year to year funding to plan, build and maintain safe infrastructure and provide national surface transportation mobility and connectivity," Boardman said in a statement. "In addition, multiple layers of oversight have been added to what Congress intended to be a 'private' company that carries out public policy."

Samantha Shankman

May 1st, 2013 at 10:46 AM EDT

Tags: amtrak funding

Photo Credit: Amtrak Locomotive 503 pulling up the rear of the passing Amtrak 792 from San Luis Obispo to Los Angeles. Flickr / P. Ferriola

Up Next

Experiences

How Travel Brands Can Seize the ‘Q5’ Opportunity on TikTok

Driven by increased spending on experiences and the digital habits of younger audiences, TikTok has emerged as a key platform for inspiring and shaping travel decisions. Leveraging the platform’s reach early in the year presents a unique opportunity for travel brands to connect with eager travelers.

TikTok for Business + Skift | 1 month ago

In-Flight Messaging and Indian Budget Hotels: Travel Startups Raise $86 Million

A growing number of startups focused on Indian travelers have been raising money in the past couple of years.

Justin Dawes | 14 minutes ago

Hotels

Australia's Gold Coast Devastated by Cyclone, Officials Race to Restore Tourism

The Gold Coast’s swift recovery efforts highlight the region’s resilience but the long-term threat of climate change means these disasters may only become more frequent and costly.

Darin Graham | 1 hour ago

exterior view of the front of an extended stay america suites property

Business Travel

Extended Stay America CEO Sees 'Softness' – How He'd Handle a Mild Recession

Extended Stay America's CEO Greg Juceam believes the company's focus on long-term accommodations provides resilience against economic uncertainty, with its diverse customer base of housing transitioners and extended business travelers acting as a buffer.

Sean O'Neill | 2 hours ago

Hotels

Radisson's Growth Plan: Fewer Rules for Hotel Owners, China Focus

Radisson Hotel Group says it takes an "owner-first" approach, which basically translates to: “What do you, the property owner, need to make this a good investment?” Maybe that's why it's been on a growth tear.

Sean O'Neill | 24 hours ago

First read is on us.

Amtrak begs government for multi-year funding on its 42nd birthday

Skift Take

Up Next

How Travel Brands Can Seize the ‘Q5’ Opportunity on TikTok

In-Flight Messaging and Indian Budget Hotels: Travel Startups Raise $86 Million

Australia's Gold Coast Devastated by Cyclone, Officials Race to Restore Tourism

Extended Stay America CEO Sees 'Softness' – How He'd Handle a Mild Recession

Radisson's Growth Plan: Fewer Rules for Hotel Owners, China Focus

First read is on us.
Subscribe to read more essential travel industry news.

First read is on us.

Amtrak begs government for multi-year funding on its 42nd birthday

Skift Take

Up Next

How Travel Brands Can Seize the ‘Q5’ Opportunity on TikTok

In-Flight Messaging and Indian Budget Hotels: Travel Startups Raise $86 Million

Australia's Gold Coast Devastated by Cyclone, Officials Race to Restore Tourism

Extended Stay America CEO Sees 'Softness' – How He'd Handle a Mild Recession

Radisson's Growth Plan: Fewer Rules for Hotel Owners, China Focus

First read is on us.Subscribe to read more essential travel industry news.

First read is on us.
Subscribe to read more essential travel industry news.