Amtrak CEO Stephen Gardner has announced his resignation after 16 years of leading the U.S. passenger rail service, a decision that comes amid renewed calls for privatization from the Trump administration.
The resignation follows a period of record-breaking ridership for Amtrak, signaling a strong performance despite the pressure surrounding the future of the rail system.In his resignation statement, Gardner expressed pride in the accomplishments of his team, emphasizing the improvements made to Amtrak during his tenure. “We did a lot together to make Amtrak safer, more modern, and a better travel experience for all our customers,” Gardner said.
“It has been my honor and privilege to lead this great American company, and I wish Amtrak every success.” While Gardner did not provide specifics about the reasons for his departure, he suggested that the decision was made to ensure that the rail system maintains the confidence and support of the administration.Amtrak’s challenges have been further complicated by criticism from President Donald Trump, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, and Tesla CEO Elon Musk, who has long advocated for the privatization of U.
S. transportation services, including Amtrak. Musk, during a recent speech, remarked, “I think logically we should privatize anything that can reasonably be privatized,” which includes both the U.
S. Postal Service and Amtrak. His stance has drawn criticism, with many questioning his motivations, considering his v.
