Amtrak employee Tricia Saunders with U.S. Secretary of Transportation John Volpe, 1971.
Color photograph showing Passenger Service Representative Tricia Saunders standing with U.S. Secretary of Transportation John Volpe; image likely dates to May 1971.
- Photograph Details
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- Date Archived:
- September 11, 2015
- Decade:
- 1970s
- Data Format:
- Image
- Date Created:
- 1971
- Download the full-sized version of this photo
Amtrak had very few direct employees in its first years, as most functions continued to be contracted out to the predecessor railroads from which the company had taken over intercity passenger rail operations. Prior to being hired by Amtrak on April 28, 1971–as one of the company’s first employees–Tricia "Patty" Saunders had worked two seasons for the Seaboard Coast Line, whose rail network covered the lucrative Florida market. She and her coworkers put on fashion shows, singalongs and other entertainments for passengers.
In her first Amtrak position–as a passenger service representative–Saunders was “the eyes and ears of Amtrak.” She assisted customers on the train, listened to their complaints and compliments regarding Amtrak service, talked about future company initiatives and passed on ideas for improvement to management.
Saunders stands in a crowd with John A. Volpe (right), a former governor of Massachusetts who as U.S. Secretary of Transportation from 1969-1973 helped oversee the creation of Amtrak. This photograph was probably taken on or close to the first day of Amtrak operations - May 1, 1971.
Photographer: Unknown. From the Tricia Saunders Collection.
