Amtrak
Headquarters: 60
Massachusetts Avenue, NE
Washington, DC 20002
Phone: 202-906-3000
Employees: 19,000
President and CEO: Joseph Boardman
Website: http://www.amtrak.com
Career Page
Officially known as the National Railroad Passenger Corporation, Amtrak is a government-owned company that operates the nation's passenger rail system, providing train service to more than 500 destinations in 46 states on a 21,000-mile network of routes.
Amtrak operates over 300 trains a day at speeds of up to 150 miles per hour.
Amtrak earned $2.1 billion in ticket revenues in fiscal 2011, up from $1.97 billion the previous year. Total revenues were $2.7 billion. However, Amtrak reported a net loss of $1.34 billion for fiscal 2011. It spent $1.94 billion on salaries and benefits for the year.
The train service has never been profitable and needs federal funding to make up for losses and fund track and station repairs.
Amtrak also receives money from some states
outside of the Northeast Corridor.
NY's Penn Station is the busiest train station served by Amtrak and highest ridership is in the busy Northeast Corridor.
Amtrak operates Acela Express, a high-speed train service between Boston, NY and Washington D.C.
In 2011, Amtrak added Wi-Fi Internet service to 75% of trains and introduced an app for the iPhone.
Amtrak is a made-for-profit corporation,
but receives subsidies from the federal government to keep it
operating. Amtrak's preferred stock is owned by the federal government
and members of Amtrak's board of directors are appointed by the
President of the United States himself.
Created on May 1, 1971, the company was
formally established as the National Railroad Passenger Corporation.
Amtrak stands for America, travel, and track.
The week of Thanksgiving - Tuesday to Monday - is typically Amtrak's busiest travel period of the year.
Updated January 28, 2012
