January 21, 2007: Richmond Times Dispatch “Amtrak Seeks to Build State Relationships”
Since starting service in 1971, Amtrak has struggled to get on the right track -- usually because it didn't have enough money to buy new equipment and to fix tracks and bridges.
The key to building a better railroad, Amtrak's new chief said recently, is establishing new relationships with rail-hungry states like Virginia.
"Our future is to pivot the whole organization to the states," said Alexander Kummant, who took Amtrak's throttle as president and chief executive officer in September.
In a recent wide-ranging interview, Kummant, 46, said he has been reorganizing Amtrak's management team and departments to focus on partnerships with states eager to improve rail service.
The focus on building new pacts with states was one of the key elements of a bipartisan bill introduced in Congress last week that would authorize $3.2 billion a year for Amtrak over the next six years in return for improved efficiency.