Congressman Cohen Questions Amtrak Official about Dining Car Service
Says the service is “an integral and iconic part” of train travel experience
WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09), a senior member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, today questioned Amtrak Executive Vice President Stephen Gardner at a Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines and Hazardous Materials hearing, about the suspension of dining car service on some long-distance Amtrak routes.
Last month, Congressman Cohen sent a letter to Amtrak's current CEO Richard Anderson questioning the wisdom of ending dining car service and requesting survey-market evidence supporting his decision. Gardener said Amtrak would respond to the Congressman's letter this week. See Congressman Cohen's letter here.
In his questions at today's hearing, Congressman Cohen asked:
"Does Amtrak intend to restore traditional dining service on its long-distance routes? If not, does Amtrak actually have customer survey-market data justifying the reasoning behind its new meal service changes?"
See the entire exchange with Gardner here.