June 18, 2007
 
OUR PUBLIC LIFE: Amtrak, U.S. Army Join Forces
 
by Craig Hammond
 
West Virginia's current -- and future -- men and women in umiform may soon be qualified for jobs in the nation's rail passenger industry.
 
It was recently announced that Amtrak and the United States Army are joining forces to participate in the Partnership for Youth Success (PaYS) program which provides career opportunities to soldiers upon completion of their active duty service. The partnership was launched on June 8, 2007 with a ceremonial signing in Washington's Union Station.
 
According to a recent news release, the Army (under the PaYS program) will screen and select applicants to receive transportation related job training during their Army career, with the guarantee of an interview with Amtrak after completing their military service. The Army will provide formal skills and on-the-job training to eligible enlistees and Amtrak will conduct interviews and make job offers to qualified soldiers.
 
"These soldiers, who have served so admirably, should be given every opportunity to make a seamless transition from citizen to soldier to veteran to valued employee,” said William Crosbie, Amtrak chief operating officer. "Amtrak is extremely proud to be engaged in a partnership with the U.S. Army to make this transition as easy and rewarding as possible."
 
The signing ceremony was attended by Crosbie, Lorraine A. Green, vice president of human resources, and Lt. Col. Burl W. Randolph Jr., commander of the U.S. Army Baltimore Recruiting Battalion.
 
The Baltimore Recruiting Battalion’s activities span an area nearly 21,000 square miles through Maryland, the District of Columbia, northern and southeastern Virginia, and three counties in West Virginia. The Battalion consists of seven recruiting companies, 51 recruiting stations and 375 recruiters all working hard to tell the Army Story to ensure we remain Army Strong.
 
Amtrak provides passenger rail services to more than 500 destinations in 46 states on a 21,000-mile route system.
 
In Fiscal Year 2006, Amtrak covered nearly three fourths of its operating costs through earned revenue. No country in the world operates a passenger rail system without some form of public support for capital costs and/or operating expenses. Every dime of public support is well spent on Amtrak -- and it shows.
 
Last year Amtrak welcomed aboard more than 24.3 million passengers, representing the fourth straight year of record ridership. On average, there are nearly twice as many passengers on an Amtrak train than there are on a domestic airline flight.
 
Amtrak's Northeast Corridor is the busiest railroad on the North American continent, with more than 1,700 trains operating over some portion of the Washington-Boston route each day.
 
Amtrak's board of directors is appointed by the President of the United States and confirmed by the United States Senate. The next President can ensure that quality and efficient passenger rail service continues into the next decade.
 
If I were asking questions at the 2008 presidential debates, you could be sure that a question concerning a candidate's commitment to Amtrak would be the one of the first I would ask. Long live passenger rail service in America!
 
For schedules, fares and information, passengers may call 800-USA-RAIL or visit Amtrak.com.
 
Our Public Life, a weekly column by BNN columnist Craig Hammond, is dedicated to the institutions that enhance our public life.