Amtrak names new marketing director

Amid pressure from House Republicans to generate more revenue, Amtrak announced on Friday the appointment of a new marketing director.

The national passenger rail service, which has said it has set ridership record in recent months, tapped Matt Hardison to be its chief marketing and sales officer. Prior to the appointment, Hardison had been Amtrak's chief of sales distribution and customer service.

Amtrak CEO Joe Boardman said Hardison would "provide the necessary leadership and continuous improvement of our business processes as we carry out the vision set forth in our Strategic Plan."  

Republicans on the House Transportation and Infrastructure have sought to deny Amtrak funding it has received to subsidize rail service since it was created in 1971.

The GOP argues that the money is being wasted because Amtrak does not generate enough money from rail fares to cover the cost of its operations.

Amtrak has argued that its ridership is up in recent months. The company says it's fare collections are now covering nearly 80 percent of its operational costs, which Boardman has told lawmakers is a record for Amtrak.

Supporters of the rail company argue that other forms of transportation, such as roads and aviation, are also subsidized to some extent.

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