Amtrak, AmeriStarRail officials to discuss NEC privatization idea

AmeriStarRail LLC owners, who have suggested privatizing Amtrak operations on the Northeast Corridor (NEC), will discuss their proposal with Amtrak in a phone call today.

AmeriStarRail officials believe they can expand Amtrak's NEC capacity to meet travel demand over the next 20 to 40 years. Amtrak recently responded in writing to the private group, which requested a conversation with Amtrak leaders to talk about what they believe are "misunderstandings about our proposal."

Amtrak spokesman Marc Magliari said Amtrak agreed to participate in a call to allow AmeriStarRail to elaborate on their NEC proposal.

"We will determine appropriate steps after the call," Magliari said.

Proposals calling for privatizing Amtrak's NEC service have been made from time to time. Amtrak has issued a whitepaper to address questions raised about whether NEC passenger-rail service should be run by a private operator.