Amtrak creates board committee to guide expansion as Pittsburgh gains second daily train

Amtrak launched a new committee of its board of directors on the expansion of its rail service ahead of November’s start of a second daily route between Pittsburgh and New York City.

The System Expansion Committee will help guide the passenger rail service in expanding its services around the country, whether it’s the number of routes and frequencies, making infrastructure and equipment improvements, or working with state partners. It will be chaired by Robert A. Gleason, a board member appointed in 2025 and a western Pennsylvania native.

“Expanding passenger rail service is essential to meeting growing demand, strengthening mobility and connecting more communities to economic opportunity,” said Gleason in a prepared statement. “The creation of this committee reflects Amtrak’s commitment to working with states, host railroads and federal partners to advance new service opportunities and increase frequencies where investments and partnerships make growth possible.”