Joseph Boardman served as president/CEO of Amtrak from 2008 to 2016. Photo: Amtrak
2 min to read
Joseph Boardman served as president/CEO of Amtrak from 2008 to 2016. Photo: Amtrak
Former Amtrak President/CEO Joseph Boardman has died, according to a statement issued by the rail network. He served as head of Amtrak from 2008 until 2016, when he retired.
“We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Joe Boardman,” said Amtrak Board Chair Tony Coscia and Amtrak president/CEO Richard Anderson in a joint statement.
“Joe, during his tenure as FRA Administrator, Amtrak Board Member and Amtrak President & CEO, was a tireless advocate for passenger rail and the nation’s mobility," Coscia and Anderson said. "During his eight years at the helm, Joe helped the company make significant progress in reducing our debt, improving our infrastructure and raising our cost recovery performance.”
Ad Loading...
Boardman, who had more than 40 years of experience in the transportation industry, previously served as administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and was the Department of Transportation designee on the Amtrak board of directors.
“He leaves a lasting legacy that includes public service and making passenger rail transportation better for millions of people,” Coscia and Anderson said.
Prior to his tenure at FRA, Boardman served as commissioner of the New York State Department of Transportation, where he led a transformation effort that better enabled the agency to respond to the challenges associated with an expanding global marketplace.
On his first day at Amtrak during the 2008 Thanksgiving holiday travel period, Boardman walked the platforms at Washington Union Station greeting passengers and talking with employees and continued that practice whenever and wherever he traveled. It was not uncommon to see him see speaking to passengers aboard a train or visiting with employees out on the railroad at crew bases, rail yards, stations and other locations.
He logged over 200,000 miles traveling on Amtrak trains during his tenure, according to an Amtrak statement.
Under Boardman’s leadership, Amtrak experienced many accomplishments including: record ridership and revenue, continued reductions in the need for federal operating support, a significant pay down of debt, the best ever system-wide on-time performance, expansion of state-supported services, the introduction of Wi-Fi service and eTicketing, and the creation and implementation of a corporate strategic plan.
In addition, Boardman managed new equipment orders for Northeast Corridor (NEC) and long-distance services, a major planning effort for the development of next-generation high-speed rail, a comprehensive employee safety program, enhanced security initiatives, and numerous capital projects to improve Amtrak infrastructure, stations, maintenance shops and other facilities.
Executives from ABC Companies and MCI discuss how rising costs, changing market conditions, and post-pandemic challenges are prompting motorcoach operators to rethink financing strategies, fleet replacement cycles, and long-term planning.
Austin Transit Partnership CEO Greg Canally discusses the city's nearly 10-mile light rail project, its collaborative approach to project delivery, the importance of community engagement, and the milestones ahead as construction approaches in 2027.
ETA founder and CEO John Maglio explores the evolution of transit technology, the importance of reliable systems, and how stronger partnerships can help agencies improve operations and the passenger experience.
The Systemwide Network Plan identifies infrastructure needs and potential investments to expand all-day, bidirectional rail service across the Chicago region.
In this edition, we also spotlight recent personnel moves at HDR, PATH, STV, and more, highlighting the people taking on new roles across the transportation industry.
Transit agencies are using fare-free service, trip-planning tools, and targeted rides to improve voting access. See what other agencies can learn from these efforts.
The railroad’s shift to electric service has brought more frequent trains, stronger customer satisfaction, and increased ridership, earning it APTA’s Outstanding Public Transportation System award.
CTA launched crisis intervention teams as CATS prepares to deploy fare ambassadors, expanding customer assistance and security efforts across both systems.
Bus Business Consultants Founder Brian Dickson discusses the leadership principles, operational discipline, and strategic planning that separate transportation companies positioned for long-term success from those stuck in survival mode.
