For Immediate Release (21-24)

Contact: Sean Jeans-Gail (202) 320-2723; sjeansgail@narprail.org

Rail Passengers Association Statement on Retirement of Amtrak CEO Flynn, Appointment of Gardner as President & CEO

Statement from Rail Passengers Association on today’s announcement from Amtrak that Bill Flynn will retire January 17, 2022, with Stephen Gardner to be appointed as the company’s new President and Chief Executive Officer.

“I would like to extend the thanks of rail passengers to Bill for his two years of leadership at America’s Railroad,” said Rail Passengers President & CEO Jim Mathews. “Bill brought a renewed focus to the National Network, recommitting the railroad to serving rural America. He also led several major equipment procurement projects, putting future service on firmer footing. It’s a fitting tribute to his tenure at Amtrak that one of his final acts will be ensuring that Amtrak charted a safe course for avoiding service cuts due to labor shortages.”

Gardner, who currently serves as President, will add the role of CEO in January.

“Rail Passengers looks forward to working with Stephen in his newly expanded role as President and CEO,” said Mathews. “He has a deep understanding of the rail industry, gained from years of frontline experience in operations and management, as well as policy work in Congress. With the funding provided by the Investment in Infrastructure and Jobs Act, the U.S. has a once-in-a-generation opportunity to connect tens of millions of additional Americans through expanded and upgraded passenger rail service. Our association stands ready to work with Stephen and Amtrak to turn that vision into reality for all Americans, from Wall Street to Main Street.”

About Rail Passengers Association

The Rail Passengers Association is the oldest and largest national organization serving as a voice for the more than 40 million rail passengers in the U.S. Our mission is to improve and expand conventional intercity and regional passenger train services, support higher speed rail initiatives, increase connectivity among all forms of transportation and ensure safety for our country's trains and passengers. All of this makes communities safer, more accessible and more productive, improving the lives of everyone who lives, works and plays in towns all across America.

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