AmeriStarRail aims to privatize Amtrak

A spokesperson for AmeriStarRail, a company looking to create a private-sector partnership with Amtrak for the management of the Corridor, told Newsweek that privatizing the system could prompt investment and improve services for passengers.

"Because Amtrak's current Northeast Corridor ridership market share among rail, highway, bus and air modes is in the single digits, AmeriStarRail and our private-sector investors recognize a significant opportunity to grow ridership, revenue and profits," AmeriStar Chief Operating Officer Scott Spencer told Newsweek.

"This will attract both private investment for AmeriStarRail's operation of Amtrak's high-speed trains on the Northeast Corridor as well as more public investment in the Northeast Corridor infrastructure."

SOURCE: MSN