The Transit Authority: A Conversation with Amtrak Executives

In a podcast recorded live from the Products and Services Showcase at the 2026 APTA Rail Conference in Baltimore, MD, APTA’s Vice President of Policy, Mobility, Technical Services, and Innovation Art Guzzetti interviewed Amtrak President Roger Harris and Board Member Elaine Clegg.

Part of the discussion covered Amtrak’s record ridership, which is up 20 percent since the pandemic. Harris said contributing factors could include people’s weariness of road congestion and a social movement that embraces travel by train.

A recent decision to procure single-level trains will make them more accessible for people with mobility issues, hearing or visual impairments, or a family with a stroller. Clegg said each of the trains will have an “accessible core,” meeting an important Amtrak mission.

Clegg and Harris also discussed challenges unique to rail, careers in transportation, Amtrak’s role in World Cup transportation, and infrastructure upgrades to improve the customer experience across the entire network.

Watch the video on YouTube or listen on The Transit Authority.