The Trump administration announced Thursday that more than 18,000 Amtrak workers will receive $900 Christmas bonus checks, following a deal struck between President Donald Trump, Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy, and Amtrak leadership that redirects executive bonus money to frontline employees.
The bonuses come after a record year for Amtrak, marked by strong ridership and revenue gains. Administration officials framed the move as part of President Trump’s push to deliver higher take-home pay for American workers, particularly those in unionized, blue-collar roles who keep critical infrastructure running.
According to the Department of Transportation, Amtrak’s executive leadership agreed to forgo 50 percent of bonus packages that would have been paid out under the previous compensation structure. At the urging of the Trump administration, Amtrak’s Board of Directors also voted to eliminate long-term incentive bonuses for senior executives altogether and redistribute those funds directly to unionized frontline workers in the form of $900 holiday bonuses.
“This administration cares about the hardworking men and women who keep this country moving,” Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy said. “We are truly in the golden age of travel. Whether you’re flying, riding the subway, or taking the train, my department is working every day to enhance the travel experience for the American people. We rely on our incredible workforce, including our unionized workers at Amtrak, to make it all possible.”
The announcement shows a sharp shift in priorities from the previous administration. Officials said the Department of Transportation uncovered Biden-Buttigieg era bonus structures that rewarded senior Amtrak executives with what they described as excessive payouts, even as frontline workers carried the operational burden of the nation’s passenger rail system.
Under Secretary Duffy, the department is moving to restructure compensation levels to better reflect performance and ensure that employees across the system are “properly awarded,” according to the agency.
“We applaud Amtrak and its executive leadership team for doing the right thing,” said Deputy Transportation Secretary Steven G. Bradbury, who serves as Secretary Duffy’s representative to the Amtrak Board of Directors.
Union leaders also welcomed the move, calling it a long-overdue acknowledgment of the workers who keep trains running safely and on time.
“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. “One other area of improvement deserves to be mentioned: Due to the urging of the Trump administration, end-of-year bonuses will now go to 18,000 front-line workers rather than being limited to the executive ranks. This long-overdue recognition of the employees who keep the railroad moving is a step in the right direction.”
SMART-TD President Jeremy Ferguson echoed that sentiment, highlighting the timing of the bonuses during the holiday season.
“SMART-TD appreciates Amtrak’s decision to prioritize the men and women who keep our passenger rail system running every day,” Ferguson said. “Providing frontline employees with a meaningful bonus is an important acknowledgment of their dedication and service, especially during the holiday season. We thank the Trump administration for supporting this effort to recognize the hardworking employees who make Amtrak strong.”
The administration touted the bonuses as another example of President Trump’s focus on rewarding workers rather than bureaucracies, with officials signaling that similar reviews of compensation structures across federally connected entities could follow.
