N.J. Transit Chief Is Named Head of Amtrak
WASHINGTON — Thomas M. Downs, New Jersey’s transportation commissioner, has been selected to run Amtrak, the financially pinched national passenger railroad corporation.
Downs was named Tuesday to replace W. Graham Claytor Jr., 81, whose retirement has been anticipated for months but was delayed pending the appointment of a successor.
Claytor will officially depart on Monday, and Downs will take over the next day as president and chairman, Amtrak’s board of directors announced. Claytor has headed the taxpayer-subsidized railway since July, 1982.
“I am committed to building upon the reputation of excellence built by Mr. Claytor and the thousands of dedicated Amtrak employees,” Downs said in a statement. “My first priority will be to conduct a detailed review of the budget that examines every financial aspect and operational assumption of the railroad.”
Amtrak has faced a budget squeeze that has led to service and maintenance cutbacks.
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