Former US president Joe Biden was recently spotted travelling aboard an Amtrak train, sitting casually among fellow passengers, sparking widespread reactions across social media and renewing attention to his long-standing association with rail travel.
According to social media posts that surfaced over the weekend, two young women, Phoebe Saintilan-Stocks and Chloe Saintilan, were surprised to find Biden seated in the same carriage during a journey on Amtrak’s Northeast Regional line.
“He was just sitting in the carriage with us,” one of them wrote, sharing the unexpected encounter online.
The sighting quickly gained traction, with users contrasting Biden’s public transportation habits with perceptions of political elites’ lifestyles.
Several posts described the moment as “wholesome,” highlighting his choice to travel alongside everyday commuters rather than using private transport.
Author shares moment on Instagram
Phoebe Saintilan-Stocks, author of the book The Right Hand, also shared a photo of herself with Biden on Instagram. Captioning the image, she wrote:
“Made a friend on the Amtrak train to Washington. (Can confirm Biden gets the Amtrak and sits with total randoms).”
The post showed Biden smiling casually with passengers, reinforcing his reputation for accessibility and his continued use of public rail even after leaving office.
The encounter reportedly took place on February 21, 2026, on the busy Northeast Regional route connecting major cities including Washington, DC, New York, and Boston.
Social media reactions pour in
The image triggered a wave of reactions across X, with users expressing a mix of admiration, nostalgia, and political commentary.
One user wrote: “This pic is actually wholesome af. Dude’s 80+ and still chooses public transport over private jets & golden toilets. Says everything about character.”
Another user offered a more critical take, saying: “I wish he had taken border concerns more seriously. Whether you like Trump or not, Biden is the reason he is president.”
Others simply praised the former president, with posts reading: “God bless Joe!!! What a quality human being!!”
Some supporters also framed the moment politically, calling future elections an opportunity for voters to reassess leadership.
Biden also known as ‘Amtrak Joe’
Biden’s use of Amtrak is not new. He earned the nickname “Amtrak Joe” during his 36-year tenure as a US senator, when he regularly commuted between Wilmington, Delaware, and Washington, DC, to be with his family.
Key facts about Biden’s Amtrak connection include:
- Biden traveled by train for decades while serving in the Senate.
- He estimated completing more than 8,200 round trips, covering over 2 million miles.
- In 2011, Wilmington’s train station was renamed in his honor.
- He has continued to ride Amtrak even after serving as vice president and president.
- Biden has long supported investment in passenger rail infrastructure.
His recent appearance on a public train highlights the personal tradition that has defined much of his political identity, remaining closely connected to ordinary Americans through everyday travel.
