WASHINGTON — Amtrak CEO Bill Flynn says the company opposes CSX Transportation’s acquisition of New England regional Pan Am Railways, saying the deal in its current form “represents a significant threat to the American traveling public” and “will negatively impact current passenger train service and future routes in Massachusetts and Northern New England.”
Amtrak has included several possible new routes in the region in its “Corridor Vision” plan, released late last month [see “Amtrak ‘Corridor Vision’ report addresses expansion plans …,” Trains News Wire, May 27, 2021]. That document outlines the company’s goals for expanded state-supported regional services across the nation by 2035.
Flynn says in the statement that Amtrak’s primary consideration in this or any other merger is to ensure on-time performance of Amtrak trains over affected routes, and to “ensure we will have a good partner in seeking to improve and expand existing state-supported and long-distance routes as well as planned expansion to new routes.” It is clear the proposed deal, he writes, “will adversely impact the performance of Amtrak trains and threaten future growth opportunities.”
The statement comes against the backdrop of a continuing dispute with CSX (as well as Norfolk Southern) over efforts to relaunch passenger service between New Orleans and Mobile, Ala. [See “Amtrak asks STB to require CSX, NS to allow Gulf Coast service,” News Wire, March 16, 2021].
Flynn’s statement, available in full here, urges the Surface Transportation Board to take passenger service into consideration as it reviews the CSX-Pan Am deal. An Amtrak filing on May 17 indicated the passenger railroad’s concern over the transaction and its intent to participate in the proceeding.
CSX, asked about Flynn’s comments, responded with a statement saying, “CSX commits to maintaining or improving existing service on Pan Am both as to customers and passenger service. We are confident that the pro-competitive acquisition of Pan Am will bring significant benefits to stakeholders in the Northeastern United States and beyond and look forward to presenting further detail illustrating those benefits.”
— Updated at 5:05 p.m. CDT with CSX statement. Corrected at 1:10 p.m. on June 5 to note earlier Amtrak filing with STB.
Let us take a moment to salute the largely excellent job Pan-Am has done operating Downeaster service. It started with commitment from the top. And a willingness to be part of a productive relationship. It worked out well for them too, in regards to attracting public investment in their lines.
I at least am glad to see an Amtrak CEO who takes seriously the plans for the future and is looking out for Amtrak’s interests, just like all the other parties who have a stake in this merger.
I do not see specific details about Mr. Flynn’s objection. Capacity issues have been raised in this forum, but not from Amtrak. Otherwise, Amtrak’s words are not much more than empty posturing. But what do I know. I only a taxpayer that has not much influence. Cheers.
What about Amtrak can ever “represent(s) a significant threat to the American traveling public?” Too few people ride it to matter, outside the NEC.
It IS one of the deaths by a thousand small cuts to the American taxpaying public, albeit their budget is only “small” in relation to our overall spending. Tell the DE passengers to drive themselves. Judge this merger on relevant criteria.
If this is Flynn’s way of getting pro-passenger merger conditions out of CSX, I do fear he’s going about it the wrong way. Honey attracts more flies than vinegar.
We’re not talking about herding flies. Remember the words of the great philosopher Leo Durocher: “Nice guys finish last.”
Mr. Sanchez, no CSX will not be dispatching what is today Pan Am Southern. Yes they will be, if merger/takeover is approved, dispatching whatever MBTA Commuter Rail segments are dispatched by Pan Am today (unless MassDOT shows some guts and grit-not likely with their huge modal bias towards the fly/drive paradigm-and negotiates conveyance of said territories to the T). And of course, the Downeaster route north/east of the MA/NH line will go to CSX. Please note that CSX, in an effort to placate worries, has pledged in at least one document addressed to the STB and MassDOT that it will prioritize passenger rail services and will even work with MassDOT for the extension of passenger rail services west of where they have historically ended, namely Worcester and Fitchburg. And you can be sure, NNEPRA and its Director Patricia Quinn, will be watching Downeaster OTP like hawks and will scream blue murder if CSX falls down on standards. Let’s give this a chance and PLEASE Amtrak stop fighting with the “landlords”. You cannot win that fight.
Hopefully the Amtrak CEO carries no weight in the review of the CSX acquisition of Pan Am, which has way more positives than negatives and is supported by just about every entity in the region (eg, CSX commitment to rehab decrepit Pan Am track that currently host lots of LPG shipments throughout New England). There are currently 5 Amtrak Downeaster train pairs running each day. Presumably with CSX taking over Haverhill to Portland track maintenance responsibilities from a low budget, often reluctant Pan Am operation, DE timekeeping will be assured. Plus CSX has indicated it will implement PTC permitting a long desired 6th daily DE train pair to be added to the schedule. Hopefully STB reviewers will realize that whatever grudge Amtrak has with CSX elsewhere has nothing to do with Downeaster service.
amtrak think it should a free lunch,its time for amtrack to pay its full fair.if it wonts first class ,it must pay up….
Mr. Everitt, CSX will not “own” the former Boston & Maine across the northern tier of MA. If you have paid attention to the writings of Bill Stephens on the issue you would know that. Mr. Sanchez, it apparently escapes you that all William Flynn is accomplishing here is throwing gasoline on the fire raging down in the Gulf Coast. Amtrak cannot win with this kind of behavior. Anyone who has a problem with the Boston Lake Shore’s timekeeping west of Worcester refuses to understand that it’s not and issue of priority. It’s the issue of capacity, or the lack thereof; Capacity that once existed but was ripped out by Conrail in the late 1980’s. If the public wants OTP then the public needs to belly up to the conference table and offer a PPP to put it back. If that fails then the public has to either build a new passenger-only railroad or pay 100% for the restoration on the freight railroad.
No, it will not own it, but it will dispatch it, and CSX does not dispatch Amtrak favorably. Bill Flynn is protecting his company, and taking to the public, I applaud him fir that.
So do I. Now that politically Amtrak feels that someone has it’s back, it’s good to see Mr. Flynn reminding all not to forget his company.
The Lake Shore Limited time keeping is a disaster already. I can not image what it would be like when CSX owns both lines into New England and Moves the freight to the Boston Albany Line.
I stand with Flynn. This will be a disaster for the Downeaster and the Lake Shore Limited, plus any new trains Amtrak may add there.