Toll also rejected the notion that it would only take $5 billion to expand rail service and build a maintenance center. “If we weren’t operating the trains and maintaining the equipment on the Northeast Corridor, most of those jobs would go away,” she said. that employ more than 1,000 Delaware residents. Regarding the proposed “centralized maintenance center,” public relations manager Beth Toll pointed to Amtrak’s existing equipment maintenance facilities in Wilmington and Bear, Del. In an emailed response to WHYY Friday afternoon, an Amtrak spokeswoman rejected many of the claims of cost savings and conveniences made in AmeriStarRail’s proposal. But Amtrak has not yet been receptive to the idea. Unlike other private sector entities, AmeriStarRail would not own the infrastructure. So we’re simply using the airline model to improve Amtrak service.”ĪmeriStarRail wants to develop a mutually beneficial agreement with Amtrak and would pay to use their tracks. “The private entity has a different name, but they operate as an affiliated carrier under that marketing brand. “We simply would be setting ourselves up as a company, much like in the airline industry, where you have various private companies operating routes for the major carriers, like American has American Eagle, or United has United Express,” said AmeriStarRail’s Scott Spencer. There would be an additional $200 million cost to convert the existing fleet to compartment-style seating.ĪmeriStarRail would first have to get approval from the U.S. The project would cost $5 billion for the complete expansion of the Northeast Corridor, and the creation of the maintenance center. The proposal includes expanding the footprint of the Northeast Corridor by providing more than 30 new cities and towns with direct high-speed rail access.ĪmeriStarRail would create a centralized maintenance center, likely in Delaware, which they say would create more than 150 jobs in the First State. Proposed rail changes under the AmeriStarRail plan to privatize service on the Northeast Corridor. AmeriStarRail says it can do this all while remaining unionized. There would also be more direct routes and increased service. The group would arrange private financing to convert the fleet to compartment-style trains and increase high-speed trains while making it more affordable for families.
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