Amtrak Privatization Resources

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The "restructuring" of Amtrak will have consequences on both rail labor and passengers in the United States. Our concerns of privatization are unfolding in front of our very eyes. It is no secret that the federal government has plans to gut public transportation and turn over as many assets as possible to private, unaccountable industries. The information in Project 2025 explains their ultimate goals, and the AFL-CIO created this informative website to explain the impacts on transportation and other public institutions.

Letters to Protect and Fund Amtrak-

• Oppose Amtrak Restructuring: This link will take you to our letter writing campaign to the Amtrak Board of Directors to oppose the FRA's directive to restructure Amtrak.

•Rally for Amtrak: This form will send an email to your elected representative in Congress to take action to fully fund and protect our national passenger rail system.

The Amtrak Board of Directors requests your input on Amtrak management's proposed framework to transform Amtrak’s corporate structure. Deadline for feedback is Oct. 30, 2026.

Public Rail Now opposes the restructuring. Read our letter to the Board.

Articles and Public Statements

• Public Rail Now statement 3/6/26
• Letter campaign take action email 
• FRA's 'Kind of a Little Bit' Amtrak Restructuring 2/28/26
• Potential Amtrak Restructuring Feeds Union Privatization Fears
• Maintenance of Way letter flagging concern 2/11/26
• Rail Passengers Association 2/20/26
• FRA directs Amtrak to take up restructuring proposal
• FRA's Controversial Amtrak Shake-Up Leaves Passengers Looking For Clues In Europe
• FRA proposes Amtrak Become a Holding Company, overseeing three divisions, passenger group says

Print-at-home Handout

• Additional handouts can be found on our Resources page
• Save Amtrak

Video

When Amtrak took over America’s passenger trains in 1971, this was meant to relieve the private railroads of their unprofitable passenger service. But the Denver & Rio Grande Western defied all expectations when it refused to participate. This documentary tells the story of why the Rio Grande made these decisions, and the consequences that played out as a result.