Amtrak CEO Stephen Gardner is stepping down amid calls for privatization from DOGE head Elon Musk. Gardner, CEO since 2022, served 16 years at Amtrak.

Musk criticized Amtrak’s performance, advocating for privatization to improve efficiency.

Despite record ridership of 32.8 million passengers and $2.5 billion in ticket revenue in fiscal 2024, Amtrak reported a $635 million operating loss.

The company rejected privatization claims, citing its mission to serve rural communities and decades of inadequate federal funding, CNN has reported.

Amtrak operates in 46 states and parts of Canada, with over 22,000 employees.

Written by B.C. Begley