Amtrak CEO Stephen Gardner abruptly introduced on Wednesday that he’s resigning from his place.
“I am stepping down as CEO to ensure that Amtrak continues to enjoy the full faith and confidence of this administration,” Gardner mentioned in an announcement. “From my start as an Amtrak intern back in the 1990s to ending as CEO, it has been my honor and privilege to lead this great American company, and I wish Amtrak every success.”
The departing govt didn’t supply a selected cause for his resignation, however presidential advisor Elon Musk has pointed to Amtrak — together with the U.S. Postal Service — as a “sad,” money-losing endeavor that ought to be privatized.
Amtrak CEO Stephen Gardner, left, accompanied by Northeast Hall Fee Government Director Mitch Warren, proper, speaks throughout a Home Transportation subcommittee listening to on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, June 6, 2023. (AP Photograph/Andrew Harnik)
On the Morgan Stanley Expertise, Media & Telecom Convention earlier this month, Musk mentioned it’s “kind of embarrassing” how different international locations have “way better passenger rail than we do.”
Amtrak, which was based in 1971, is federally chartered, which means the U.S. authorities is its main shareholder. Its board of administrators, together with the transportation secretary, is appointed by the president and confirmed by a Senate vote.
Throughout his first time period, President Trump repeatedly sought to chop funding to Amtrak, which receives about $2.4 billion in federal funding per 12 months.
Gardner turned the CEO of Amtrak in 2022 following the retirement of Invoice Flynn. Since 2009, he’d served in a wide range of different management roles, together with chief working and business officer.
“As Stephen departs today, we thank him for his 16 years of service to Amtrak,” the corporate’s board mentioned in an announcement on Wednesday. “We look forward to working with President Trump and Secretary Duffy as we build the world-class passenger rail system this country deserves.”
