WASHINGTON — Amtrak President and CEO Alex Kummant has resigned his post.
Earlier this year, President Bush signed into law the Railroad Safety Improvement Act of 2008 and the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2008. Officials said the law will increase funding for Amtrak over the next five years.
The legislation, which allocates $12.9 billion over five years for Amtrak, creates for the first time a “federal funding partnership which places rail passenger service on a more equal footing with other modes,” Kummant said previously.
“The work on this authorization bill spanned nearly three congresses and does change the existing conditions for Amtrak, the rail industry and the states,” Kummant said.
“Apart from safety enhancements, the bill creates for the first time a state and federal funding partnership which places rail passenger service on a more equal footing with other modes, and encourages rail corridor development. Passage of this bill is a significant statement by Congress that will positively affect the traveling public for generations to come.”
Amtrak ridership in July Fiscal Year 2008 increased to 2,750,278, nearly a 14 percent increase, marking the most passengers carried in any single month in Amtrak’s 37 year history.
