Inside Amtrak: Growth, Modernization, and High-Speed Rail with CEO Stephen Gardner

In this episode of Transit Unplugged, host Paul Comfort interviews Stephen Gardner, CEO of Amtrak, at their Washington, DC headquarters. They discuss Amtrak's record ridership of 32.8 million passengers in the past year, recent capital investments totaling $4.5 billion, and the introduction of new Acela trains. Gardner shares insights into Amtrak's strategy to double ridership by 2040, high-speed rail initiatives, and the unique structure of Amtrak as a federally-owned yet commercially-operated entity. Key projects such as the Frederick Douglass Tunnel in Baltimore and the upcoming Gulf Coast service are also highlighted, along with Amtrak's approach to modernizing and expanding its network. The episode concludes with a look into the future of rail travel and the importance of strategic partnerships.  00:00 Welcome to Transit Unplugged  00:05 Introduction to today's episode from host Paul Comfort  01:24 Interview with Stephen Gardner  01:34 Stephen Gardner's Background and Role at Amtrak  03:03 Understanding Amtrak's Unique Structure  07:42 Amtrak's Business Model and Operations  13:23 Challenges and Opportunities in Rail Expansion  23:02 High-Speed Rail and Future Projects  27:18 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Next week on Transit Unplugged, Paul chats with Mikel Oglesby, General Manager of SunTran, SunRail, and SunLink, in Tucson, AZ.  Transit Unplugged is brought to you by Modaxo https://www.modaxo.com  Host: Paul Comfort  Producer: Paul Comfort  Writer: Cyndi Raskin Executive Producer: Julie Gates    Special thanks to:  Brand design: Tina Olagundoye  Social Media: Tatyana Mechkarova  Transit Unplugged Newsletter & Media Support: Cyndi Raskin  Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the guests, and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Modaxo Inc., its affiliates or subsidiaries, or any entities they represent (“Modaxo”). This production belongs to Modaxo, and may contain information that may be subject to trademark, copyright, or other intellectual property rights and restrictions. This production provides general information, and should not be relied on as legal advice or opinion. Modaxo specifically disclaims all warranties, express or implied, and will not be liable for any losses, claims, or damages arising from the use of this presentation, from any material contained in it, or from any action or decision taken in response to it.