In collaboration with various sectors of the rail industry, the Association of American Railroads (AAR) announced July 10 that the nation’s major commuter, intercity passenger, and freight railroads and rail supply companies expect to hire more than 5,000 veterans in 2012. The rail industry’s commitment is part of the White House Joining Forces initiative, a nationwide effort to recognize, honor, and support U.S. veterans and military families.

Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, White House Joining Forces Executive Director Capt. Bradley Cooper, and AAR President and Chief Executive Officer Edward R. Hamberger made the announcement during a joint press event.

“The commitment from AAR and companies in the railway industry to veteran hiring is exactly the type of effort we hoped to see when the First Lady and Dr. Biden launched Joining Forces last year—companies stepping up to hire our nation’s veterans. The railway industry clearly recognizes that hiring veterans is good for their companies’ bottom line and we are appreciative of their efforts to serve veterans as well as they have served this country,” Cooper said.

APTA President & CEO Michael Melaniphy added: “The nation’s commuter railroads are honored to join forces and hire veterans, thus benefitting from their valued leadership, technical, and teamwork skills.”

The nation’s passenger railroads, including Amtrak and commuter railroads represented by AAR and APTA, have targeted hiring approximately 500 veterans in 2012, based on the significant need to fill positions being made vacant through retirements as well as some growth and attrition. This represents a hiring target of between 12 and 14 percent of new hires going forward.

Freight railroads, including the country’s major Class I freight and shortline railroads, plan to hire at least 4,700 veterans this year, while dozens of U.S. rail supply and services companies have committed to hire at least 200 veterans during that time.