The Trump administration marked a major milestone in U.S. transportation Wednesday as Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy unveiled Amtrak’s new Acela trainsets and announced that the Department of Transportation (USDOT) will reclaim management of Washington Union Station.
“With these new Acela trainsets, Amtrak will provide more reliable service and lower prices for the American people – all while increasing the organization’s profitability,” Secretary Duffy said. He added that Union Station, long plagued by disrepair and crime, will be restored to “its former glory” under renewed federal oversight.
Deputy Secretary Steve Bradbury praised the move as part of President Trump’s focus on rebuilding America. “The launch of the new Acela is a critical starting point as we work to improve travel for millions of Americans. Our nation’s capital should be putting our best foot forward,” Bradbury said.
Amtrak leaders also celebrated the upgrades. President Roger Harris hailed the debut as a “new era of next-generation service,” while Board Chair Tony Coscia emphasized that passengers will immediately notice a more modern and elevated experience.
Built by Alstom in Hornell, New York, the NextGen Acela trains are the first high-speed rail sets manufactured in America. Alstom CEO Henri Poupart-Lafarge credited U.S. workers for delivering “the fastest and most technologically advanced trains in the nation.”
Union Station, which USDOT has owned since the 1980s, has deteriorated in recent decades and become a symbol of urban decline. Much of the revenue generated at the station has been locked away under poor leasing agreements, leaving little for repairs. Under Trump and Duffy’s plan, retail income will now be reinvested in elevators, lighting, security, and major system upgrades.
USDOT expects reinvestment to boost revenue and attract private partners to expand Union Station as a world-class transportation hub. Formal confirmation of federal control is expected this fall.
With new high-speed trains rolling out and Union Station under direct federal management, the administration is signaling that “America is Building Again.”
