On the operations side, Coscia plans to replicate the success of the Northeast Corridor—the network that runs between Boston and Washington, with New York as its hub—and its short-distance, inter-city model around the country.

The focus would be on routes of 400 miles or less between paired cities, such as Los Angeles and Las Vegas. Cosia says the plan also would create new connections to the Northeast Corridor, increasing traffic to New York, something that already has happened with the expansion of service out of Richmond, Va.

Coscia sees city pairings as good business opportunities as well as a chance to showcase rail as a viable alternative to clogged highways and overstretched airports, in a country in which more people than ever are living in cities.

“We’re basically serving the same cities along the same lines that we did in the 1970s,” he said. “And clearly, populations have shifted pretty dramatically. So what we’re really talking about is redrawing the map of what Amtrak looks like to be more focused on cities that are starving for this kind of transportation amenity.”

The push to transform Amtrak is being led by Richard Anderson, former Delta Airlines chief executive, who became CEO in 2017. It has been gaining steam as reauthorization of Amtrak’s long-term appropriations comes due next year.

But a critical piece of the transformation involves reconfiguring long-distance service, which might include breaking up some famed cross-country routes. That has proved particularly controversial with train buffs and with passenger advocates, who argue the changes will favor wealthier regions over rural communities.

“We speak with local mayors who really value this service and see it as critical not only for bringing tourists to their town—which is important—but for allowing residents to connect to big cities and access critical services,” said Sean Jeans-Gail, vice president of policy and government affairs at the Rail Passengers Association, an advocacy group. “We think Amtrak is absolutely right to try to play a bigger role in urbanizing corridors. We just don’t think they should rob from Peter to pay Paul.”

Coscia, however, insists the realignment will improve operations where the need is greatest and continue to serve those communities that rely on Amtrak. He also maintains that the status quo is not sustainable, nor is it providing service to all who need it.

“The existing system serves [people without other transportation options] but serves them based on a random selection that occurred when the railroad was established many years ago,” he said. “We’re interested in making the national network better, and the first step is to make the company more efficient and stronger.”