WASHINGTON – Amtrak has honored William Bronte, Chief, Division of Rail for the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), for special recognition among state and local leaders across the nation for his support of Amtrak and his commitment to passenger rail service.
During ceremonies here, Amtrak President, CEO Alex Kummant presented Bronte with Amtrak’s most prestigious award, the President’s Service and Safety Award for State Partner. He is one of three people who received the award nationally.
“Your efforts exemplify initiative, commitment and dedication to Amtrak, and our entire organization extends to you our highest appreciation,” said Kummant.
Recipients in the State Partner category “must demonstrate extraordinary and creative efforts in developing resources to preserve and expand rail service. Recipients must demonstrate leadership in promoting rail service on a state and/or national level.”
Bronte is an outstanding advocate for intercity passenger rail in the U.S. His dedication to the expansion of intercity passenger rail service in California has offered rail passengers many convenient options for business and leisure travel and provides a strong foundation for continued growth. Bronte has lead the California Rail Program, Amtrak’s largest state partner, representing approximately 50 percent of all state-supported trains and counting for almost 25 percent of Amtrak’s total ridership since 2005.
Under his leadership, there has been a dramatic growth in ridership on the Pacific Surfliner, from 1.7 million in 2002 to 2.7 million in 2007, an increase of 57 percent. The route is ranked the second busiest outside the Northeast Corridor.
