Amtrak unionized workers to receive $900 bonuses

More than 18,000 Amtrak unionized workers will receive a $900 bonus to recognize the railroad's record year of ridership and revenue, President Donald Trump's administration announced yesterday.

At the urging of the Trump administration, Amtrak's executive leaders will forgo 50% of the bonus packages that would have been paid under the previous executive bonus structure. In addition, Amtrak's board agreed to eliminate long-term incentive bonuses for senior executives and voted to distribute those funds to Amtrak unionized front-line workers, according to a U.S. Department of Transportation press release.

“We applaud Amtrak and its executive leadership team for doing the right thing,” said U.S. Transportation Deputy Secretary Steven Bradbury, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy’s representative to Amtrak's board.

Some unions endorsed the decision to distribute the $900 bonuses to workers. 

"Amtrak is making real progress. The system is seeing record ridership and revenue, expanded service and improved customer service," said Mark Wallace, national president of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen, in the press release.

SMART-TD President Jeremy Ferguson added: "SMART-TD appreciates Amtrak’s decision to prioritize the men and women who keep our passenger-rail system running every day. Providing front-line employees with a meaningful bonus is an important acknowledgment of their dedication and service, especially during the holiday season."

Amtrak logged record ridership and revenue during fiscal-year 2025 ending Sept. 30. The railroad provided 34.5 million rider trips, a 5.1% increase over FY24 and an all-time record, and collected adjusted ticket revenue of $2.7 billion, a first in Amtrak’s history and 10.4% higher year over year.

Amtrak's total operating revenue rose 9% to $3.9 billion in FY25 compared to FY24. Adjusted operating earnings was a $598.4 million loss, a 15.1% improvement from a year ago. That FY25 bottom line puts the railroad on track to achieve train operational profitability by FY28, Amtrak officials said.