Evaluation of Amtrak’s Business Case for New High-Speed Trainsets

The Office of Inspector General is initiating an evaluation of the company’s business case for procuring next-generation high-speed rail trainsets. Specifically, we will determine the extent to which Amtrak is incorporating the sound business practices that we previously reported on in OIG reports E-2013-014 and E-2013-020 in developing its business case for high-speed rail equipment. To accomplish this objective, we will interview various Amtrak officials and review supporting documents used to develop the business case.

ASSET MANAGEMENT: Amtrak is Preparing to Operate and Maintain New Locomotives, but Several Risks to Fully Achieving Intended Benefits Exist

This report provides the results of our evaluation of Amtrak’s efforts to commission its new fleet of ACS‐64 electric locomotives. Our objective for this report is to discuss the extent to which Amtrak is prepared, as of July 1, 2013, to effectively and efficiently operate and maintain the new locomotives in revenue service. We performed our work from May through July 2013 in Washington D.C., Philadelphia, and Wilmington.

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE: Planned Changes Should Improve Amtrak’s Capital Planning Process, and Further Adoption of Sound Business Practices Will Help Optimize the Use of Limited Capital Funds

This report discusses the extent to which the capital planning process reflects sound business practices in (1) developing project proposals, (2) selecting capital projects to fund, and (3) evaluating project outcomes. We identified these sound practices through our own research and by benchmarking the practices of other organizations.

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