Amtrak taps new GM of long-distance routes

{mosads}”In his career at the railroad, he has held jobs of increasing responsibility including: terminal superintendent Washington division; assistant vice president, Service Operations; superintendent, Equipment Standards and Compliance; and master mechanic, Central division,” the company said.

Prior to the shutdown of the federal government, Congress had been planning to attempt to reauthorize the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act (PRIIA). The measure, which is scheduled to expire this year, includes authorization for Amtrak’s federal funding.

The railway has traditionally received about $1 billion from Congress every year since it was created in 1971.

Republicans have sharply criticized Amtrak’s losses on long-distance routes, which the company says are designed to be subsidized by more profitable shorter routes, such as its northeast service.
 
Amtrak said Murphy “will oversee the functions of the Transportation, Mechanical, and Engineering departments within a common business line for the 15 long distance services. 

“In addition, the new route directors who are responsible for profit and loss, business planning and decision-making for specific long-distance trains report to him,” the company said.