WASHINGTON — A bill that would require Amtrak to disclose information on base pay and bonuses for some of its executives has passed the House of Representatives.
H.R. 192, sponsored by U.S. Rep. David Rouzer (R-N.C.), would require the bonus information to be available on Amtrak’s website, along with the criteria used to determine bonuses, for the company’s CEO, president, and officers. The full text is available here.
“Despite significant financial losses, reliance on government support, and ongoing performance issues, Amtrak continues to reward their executives with millions in bonus incentives,” Rouzer said in a press release. “My legislation is the first step toward increasing accountability and ensuring taxpayers know how their dollars are being spent.”
The bill passed Monday, Jan. 13, 2025, on a unanimous vote. It now moves to the Senate.
Perhaps Congressman Rouzer can be persuaded to write a new Bill that would require the changing of the Amtrak Executive Bonus Formula. As suggested by another reader, the bonuses should not be solely based on cutting costs, which have encouraged executives to downgrade long-distance service. Instead, bonuses should also be based on improving long-distance routes by (1) adding more cars to carry more passengers per train, (2) upgrading on-board services by operating full-service dining cars and lounge cars offering restaurant-quality meals and beverages to ALL passengers, (3) add amenities designed to encourage repeat ridership. These changes would then generate higher passenger miles and revenues, thereby improving Amtrak’s financial performance. No other business “cuts costs” as the only way to “make money”. It sells more product to generate more revenue. Everyone should write to Congressman Rouzer to get the bonus formula changed.
And now, we all watch while the OTHER shoe drops. The unmasking of Amtrak finances and bonuses is at hand… hopefully it passes.
It’s about time. NO ONE at Amtrak should get a bonus for ANYTHING given the current sorry performance of trains.
So what were the number of yea & nay?? Kind of a key part of the story missing.
According to Congressman Rouzer’s website, the Bill passed 407 to 0.
It’s about time for transparency and accountability for that bunch of grifters!
Will disclosures be retroactive? Whether or not can we expect a few resignations if the bill gets signed into law?